Spring Awakens: Cherry Blossoms Arrive in Central Park

It was a tale of two degrees in Central Park this weekend—Saturday afternoon soared past 80 degrees, only for a cold front to send temperatures plunging into the 50s by early evening and through most of Sunday. A fleeting reminder of nature’s transience, cherry blossoms began their first bloom in a single section of the park.

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The visual splendor of sakura, the Japanese term for cherry blossoms, first appeared along the west side of the Central Park Reservoir over the weekend. Scattered between the reservoir running track and the bridle path, the Okame cherry trees have small buds with deep pink, single-petaled flowers. Known for blooming earlier than other cherry species, the Okames are accompanied by the Kanzan cherry trees, which also inhabit this area. Developed during Japan’s Edo period through interspecific hybrids derived from the Oshima cherry, the Kanzans have large buds that will open to reveal vibrant, double-petaled pink blooms.

As spring unfolds, several cherry blossom spots in Central Park are preparing to showcase their splendor.

On the east side of the Reservoir, Yoshino cherry trees are poised to unveil their signature cloud-like canopy of whitish-pink blossoms, subtly framing the city skyline—depending on your vantage point. With a faint almond-like fragrance, they are among the most popular cherry varieties, prized for their fast growth and adaptability to various soil textures.

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The Great Lawn is home to a large collection of Higan cherry trees, currently in pre-bloom. Their branches, gently arching and slightly drooping, are lined with buds that will soon unfurl into semi-double pale pink flowers, shifting from deep red buds to white blooms. The Higan’s lanceolate leaves—shaped like the head of a lance—will provide a lush green canopy before turning bronze and gold in the fall. This tranquil setting is perfect for a nap or for watching a softball game under the shade of their graceful branches.

Another fine destination is Cherry Hill, located mid-park at 72nd Street. While the Yoshino cherries here remain in the bud stage, their soon-to-emerge white blossoms will enhance the stunning views of the Lake, where rowboats drift through the boat basin and the San Remo towers in the distance. Yoshino cherry trees are known for their distinctive branching pattern, glossy bark, and dark green leaves, adding to their elegant appeal throughout the seasons.

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You can also find Yoshino cherries at Pilgrim Hill, near 73rd Street on the east side, where the closely spaced trees will soon form a canopy, creating a natural tunnel of blossoms that is both picturesque and serene.

Make your way to Sheep Meadow, which was packed over the weekend when the sun was out, to find a group of Higan cherry trees preparing to bloom. Though admired for their delicate flowers, these trees also produce small, sour black fruits—inedible for humans but a favorite among birds.

Cherry blossoms, symbolic of fleeting beauty and renewal, are scattered throughout the park, primarily between 72nd and 96th streets, as well as near Bethesda Fountain, the Delacorte Theater, the Ramble, Trefoil Arch, and Wagner Cove.

For those eager to track the blooms from home, the Central Park Conservancy’s website offers a Cherry Blossom Tracker. See you out there!

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