DC Cherry Blossom Peak Bloom Date and Blooming Period
- 2008 Washington DC Cherry Blossom Peak Blooming Period: March 29-April 13
- 2007 Washington DC Cherry Blossom Peak Blooming Period: April 1 - April 7
- 2006 Washington DC Cherry Blossom Peak Blooming Period: March 27 - April 1
- 2005 Washington DC Cherry Blossom Peak Blooming Period: April 9
- 2004 Washington DC Cherry Blossom Peak Blooming Period: April 6-15
The Peak Bloom Date is defined as the day in which 70 percent of the blossoms of the Yoshino Cherry (Prunus x yedoensis) trees are open. The date when the Yoshino cherry blossoms reach peak bloom varies from year to year, depending on weather conditions. Cherry Blossom Festival dates are
set based on the average date of blooming (April 4).
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 and/or rain can shorten this period.
During the Blooming Period, the National Park Service conducts annual Cherry Tree walks and bike tours around the Tidal Basin. These Park Ranger conducted programs present an interpretive look at the historical and cultural influence of the Japanese Flowering Cherry Trees in our Nation's Capital.
It is pretty much impossible to give an accurate forecast much more than 10 days before the Peak Bloom and each year National Park Service Horticulturists monitor 5 stages of bud development and provide a forecast and updates as needed. The following is a comparative record of past bud development in which 70% of the buds reached each stage:
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| Year | Green Color in Buds | Florets Visible | Extension of Florets | Peduncle Elongation | Puffy White | Peak Bloom | 2005 | 3/7 | 3/22 | 3/31 | 4/3 | 4/4 | 4/9 | |||||||||
| 2004 | 3/4 | 3/12 | 3/15 | 3/22 | 3/27 | 3/31 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2003 | 3/17 | 3/23 | 3/25 | 3/27 | 3/29 | 4/2 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2002 | 3/7 | 3/14 | 3/18 | 3/20 | 3/27 | 4/2 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2001 | 2/26 | 3/11 | 3/20 | 3/25 | 3/30 | 4/6 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2000 | 2/29 | 3/8 | 3/9 | 3/10 | 3/14 | 3/17 | ||||||||||||||||
| 1999 | 3/16 | 3/22 | 3/26 | 3/30 | 4/1 | 4/5 | ||||||||||||||||
| 1998 | 2/13 | 3/1 | 3/8 | 3/13 | 3/23 | 3/27 | ||||||||||||||||
| 1997 | 2/21 | 3/2 | 3/10 | 3/13 | 3/20 | 3/26 | ||||||||||||||||
| 1996 | 2/29 | 3/15 | 3/18 | 3/25 | 3/30 | 4/4 | ||||||||||||||||
| 1995 | 3/8 | 3/17 | 3/20 | 3/22 | 3/27 | 4/2 | ||||||||||||||||
| 1994 | 3/8 | 3/20 | 3/25 | 3/29 | 4/1 | 4/5 | ||||||||||||||||
| 1993 | 3/15 | 3/22 | 3/28 | 4/2 | 4/5 | 4/11 | ||||||||||||||||
| 1992 | 3/7 | 3/15 | 3/23 | 3/31 | 4/1 | 4/5 | ||||||||||||||||
