High Park cherry blossoms begin peak bloom this week

High Park’s iconic cherry blossoms, also known as Sakura trees, are beginning to show their colours, with peak bloom expected to start Thursday.

The bloom comes two weeks earlier than last year thanks to last week’s stretch of above-seasonal temperatures and sunshine, says Sakura expert Steve Joniak.

“Peak bloom is when the trees have bloomed by about 75 per cent, and despite Tuesday’s snow and very cold temperatures slowing things down just a touch, we’re still on track for this weekend.”

Cherry blossoms in High Park are at about 30-50% bloom with peak bloom expected by the end of this week. The park will be closed to vehicle traffic starting Thursday lasting through the peak bloom period @CityNewsTO pic.twitter.com/3WlWeNigZ0

— Michelle Mackey (@michellemackey) April 19, 2023

With tens of thousands of visitors expected, the City of Toronto will be closing the park to vehicle traffic starting Thursday through the duration of the bloom, which typically lasts four to 10 days. TTC Wheel-Trans vehicles, however, will continue to run.

Parkdale-High Park Councillor Gord Perks is reminding visitors to “Plan your trip using TTC or other means to visit the park and don’t forget your camera!”

But once again this year, the park is filled with signs urging people not to touch the trees for the sake of a photo.

Joniak says the Sakura trees are very delicate. “When people climb on the trees or break off branches, all that causes damage and additional stress, which invites disease, and insects and other problems, which shortens the life of the tree.”

Many of High Park’s Sakura trees are roughly 60 years old. They were gifted to the people of Toronto in 1959 by the Japanese ambassador to Canada on behalf of Tokyo, in appreciation of Toronto accepting relocated Japanese Canadians following the Second World War.

“This time of year, one that marks the 95th anniversary of Japan-Canada diplomatic relations, is ideal to honour and remember the ongoing friendship and relationship between Japan and Canada that is embodied by the Sakura trees,” says the Consulate-General of Japan in Toronto, Mr. Sasayama Takuya.

You can also find cherry blossom trees at 15 sites across the City, including Trinity Bellwoods Park, The Birkdale Ravine, and Exhibition Place which has 68 Sakura trees on site.

A full list of cherry blossom locations can be found here.