Cherry blossoms expected to bloom in last week of March

[Aepsilons]

Any chance you'll make it down to D.C. for their Cherry Blossom Festival?

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Average Peak Bloom Date: April 4

Exactly when the buds will open is not easy to predict and it is extremely difficult to give an accurate forecast much more than 10 days before peak bloom. National Park Service horticulturists monitor five distinct stages of bud development and provide timely forecasts and updates

The Peak Bloom Date is defined as the day on which 70 percent of the blossoms of the Yoshino cherry trees that surround the Tidal Basin are open. This date varies from year to year, depending on weather conditions. The Blooming Period is defined as that period when 20 percent of the blossoms are open until the petals fall and leaves appear. The blooming period starts several days before the peak bloom date and can last as long as 14 days, however, frost or high temperatures combined with wind or rain can shorten this period.

Visit the National Park Service‘s website with links to the Blossom Cam, cherry blossom photos, and information on how to donate to the Cherry Tree Replacement Fund.

The following is a comparative record of past bud development. The date listed is when 70 percent of the buds have reached each stage:

1. Green Color in Buds: Mid to late February – Early March
2. Florets Visible: Early to Mid March, Av. 16-21 days to Peak Bloom
3. Extension of Florets: Av. 12-17 days to Peak Bloom
4. Peduncle Elongation: Av. 5-10 days to Peak Bloom (Frost Critical)
5. Puffy White: Av. 4-6 days to Peak Bloom

For more information on peak blooming dates and times:

Bloom Watch | National Cherry Blossom Festival

Or for related events and happenings in and around D.C.:

Events | National Cherry Blossom Festival

Just in-case you're in the area mid April.

D.C.'s always got something going on during the festival. Concerts, parades, lots of stuff to do:

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National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade® presented by Events DC | National Cherry Blossom Festival

Cherry Blossom Festival event calendar:

Calendar of Events for the 2015 National Cherry Blossom Festival

I'll probably stop by. I'm headed for Fredericksburg, VA this month for a seminar.

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Are you realistically thinking about a trip to D.C. during April? Both @Nihonjin1051 and I live within several hours (I live with an hour) of D.C., and I know that he was coming south in April for a conference and was wondering if he would be near D.C. during the early part of April, perhaps driving to his conference - passing through D.C. on the way.

I'd have mentioned you too, but I didn't think you would realistically be in the area.

I'll have to see if i can stop by DC to see the cherry blossom festival. Maybe even stop by the Pentagon City Mall -- i heard from friends that's a great place to do some shopping.

 

[Vassnti]

I want to go and hug each of these trees and tell it is is beautiful... my childish side

.

Stick with it, the more people that can hug a tree, laugh at a sun bunny and remember how to be a child no matter what thier age the better off we would be.

 

[Armstrong]

Are you realistically thinking about a trip to D.C. during April? Both @Nihonjin1051 and I live within several hours (I live with an hour) of D.C., and I know that he was coming south in April for a conference and was wondering if he would be near D.C. during the early part of April, perhaps driving to his conference - passing through D.C. on the way.

I'd have mentioned you too, but I didn't think you would realistically be in the area.

I was in DC a couple of months ago !

Why couldn't we have bumped into each other then ?

Do you know that at Mount Vernon there is a mention of the Pakistani president Ayub Khan and his visit to the US in the '50s where the US presidential time line or foreign relation time line is written over there on the wall ?

 

[East or West India Best]

They blossomed 2-4 weeks ago here. Never seen them out so early. We didn't get winter this year in Vancouver, it must be playing havoc with the local ecosystem.