2023 April 19

The City of Toronto is predicting that Toronto cherry blossom (Sakura) trees will reach peak bloom this week. Torontonians and visitors can enjoy this annual rite of spring in person at 15 park locations across the city where cherry blossom trees are present.

Tens of thousands of people come to see the blossoming Sakura in High Park annually. To help manage the volume of visitors to the park, vehicle access and parking inside High Park will be restricted starting Thursday, April 20 for the duration of peak bloom, with the exception of TTC Wheel-Trans vehicles.

Cherry blossoms typically last between four to 10 days, depending on weather conditions. More information, including a map of locations and accessibility information, is available on the City’s Cherry Blossoms webpage.

City parks contain ecologically sensitive areas. Visitors are asked to stay on paved trails, avoid climbing the cherry trees or removing blossoms or branches and use designated bins for litter and recycling.

Many of the Sakura trees in High Park are roughly 60 years old. In 1959, the Japanese ambassador to Canada presented Sakura trees to the people of Toronto on behalf of the people of Tokyo. The trees were planted in appreciation of Toronto accepting relocated Japanese Canadians following the Second World War. Many of these trees were planted on the hillside overlooking Grenadier Pond.

Continuing this symbol of friendship since this original presentation, the City, the Consul-General of Japan in Toronto, the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre and private donors have continued to plant Sakura trees in Toronto.

Residents and visitors can also support Toronto’s Sakura cherry trees through the DonateTO portal at www.toronto.ca/sakuradonations. Contributions support planting new trees and maintaining existing trees (complementing existing City budgets and operations in this area) and enhanced landscaping at cherry tree locations. Donations also support interpretation and education around cherry trees.