Well, early spring in Toronto could only mean one thing – time for the Cherry Blossoms to pop. This spring I didn’t have the time or fortitude to fight the crowds out at High Park, so I’ve posted my shots from a visit a couple of years ago.

Cherry blossom trees are located in several parks and locations throughout Toronto. There, you can take part in the centuries-old tradition of hanami, the Japanese term for flower viewing. Called Sakura in Japan, these cherry blossom trees bloom in Toronto at the end of April to early May.

History of Cherry Trees in High Park1

1959 – The Japanese ambassador to Canada, Toru-Hagiwara, presented 2000 Japanese Somei-Yoshino Sakura trees to the citizens of Toronto on behalf of the citizens of Tokyo. The trees were planted in appreciation of Toronto accepting re-located Japanese-Canadians following the Second World War. Many were planted on the hillside overlooking Grenadier Pond.

1984 – A grove of Japanese cherry trees were planted along a pathway west of the Children’s Adventure Playground. The trees were donated by Yoriki and Midori Iwasaki as a special gift to the people of Toronto and a joyful symbol of life.

2001 – Through the Consulate General of Japan in Toronto’s Sakura Project, 34 Yoshino ‘Akebono’ and Kwanzan ‘Fugenzo’ Sakura trees were donated and planted on the east shore of Grenadier Pond near the Maple Leaf garden.

2006 – Sixteen additional Yoshino Sakura trees were planted near the original 1959 planting site.

2019 – New trees planted in a special ceremony to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Sakura trees donated to High Park in 1959 by the citizens of Tokyo

1 Courtesy of the City of Toronto website