Cherry blossom trees in full bloom for 2025 season around NYC. See how to track their peak.
As the Washington, D.C. cherry blossoms reached their peak for 2025, trees around New York and New Jersey were starting to bloom.
Some flowers have already been spotted in Central Park, while others are in full bloom at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens.
From the Brooklyn Botanic Garden to Branch Brook Park, here's everything to know about when to stop and smell the blossoms around our area.
Cherry blossom watch at Brooklyn Botanic Garden
The garden, tucked near the entrance of Prospect Park, says bloom times change from year-to-year but typically range from late March to mid-May.
The first trees often blossom around the same time as the garden's daffodils, and the rest will follow within the next four weeks, or so. Each tree only flowers for about a week, so there is never a moment when all trees are in bloom at once.
According to its CherryWatch tracker, most trees are still in what's called "prebloom," while more than 30 trees have started to flower or reach peak bloom.
As of April 11, eight trees had their first blooms and 24 trees were in peak. The early bloomers span 15 different species, including the Prunus 'Accolade,' Prunus pendula 'Pendula Rosea' and Prunus × yedoensis.
The garden has 26 species in its Flowering Cherry Collection, spread out across its Cherry Cultivars Area, Plant Family Collection, Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden, Osborne Garden, Cherry Walk and Cherry Esplanade.
New York Botanical Garden cherry blossom tracker
New York City's other botanical garden in the Bronx says its early season cherry trees are now at post-peak bloom, and its mid season cherries are in full bloom. Its late season cherries haven't started to bud yet.
The garden says Prunus × incam 'Okame' is the star of the early season, followed by these others:
- Early season (Late March): Okame
- Mid season (April): Yoshino, Double weeping, Higan
- Late season (Late April - Early May): Kanzan, Ukon, Fugenzo
The NYBG has 500 cherry trees on view in its Cherry Valley, Ross Conifer Arboretum and along the southern perimeter.
Check out its online cherry bloom tracker HERE.
Cherry blossom festival at Branch Brook Park
Branch Brook Park, which runs through Newark and Belleville, is also known for its beautiful cherry blossoms. Each year, it hosts the annual Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival.
This year's festival is from April 5 to April 13. The first weekend featured a bike race and 10k run, followed by a Family Day coming up on Saturday, April 12 and Bloomfest on Sunday, April 13. Watch a live webcam from the park HERE.
Another popular spot outside the city is Wooster Square in New Haven, Conn., but they had to cancel their 52nd annual Cherry Blossom Festival on Sunday, April 6 because of rain.
Washington, D.C. cherry blossom trees peak
Perhaps one of the most famous places to see the cherry blossoms is the nation's capital in Washington, D.C.
Japan gifted more than 3,000 cherry trees to the United States in 1912 as a symbol of friendship.
They are situated around the Tidal Basin in West Potomac Park and along the Potomac River and Washington Channel in East Potomac Park.
According to the National Park Service, the trees hit peak bloom with a burst of pink and white on Friday, March 28. Officials say peak bloom is reached when 70% of blossoms on the Yoshino cherry trees around the Tidal Basin are open.
