Downtown

Discussion in 'VCBF Neighbourhood Blogs' started by Anne Carten, Mar 2, 2008.

  1. wcutler

    wcutler Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator VCBF Cherry Scout 10 Years

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    First lame photos of 'Akebono' flowers at Burrard Station! This is a yearly tradition for me. The photos don't seem to ever really improve.
    Akebono_BurrardStation_Cutler_20200306_161615.jpg Akebono_BurrardStation_Cutler_20200306_161737.jpg Akebono_BurrardStation_Cutler_20200306_161928.jpg

    All the trees here have deep pink buds. The next stage will be for them to lighten to pale pink. Here is my chart of days from first flowers to peak bloom. It varies quite a bit, depending on the temperature. The 14-day forecast is for all days to stay under 10 C degrees. Still, I will be surprised if the flowers are not open by March 27. Last year they opened very quickly, as the temperatures had been significantly above 10 degrees, cooling down to near 10, if I understand correctly what I posted.
    Burrard Station Blooming Dates.jpg
    Edited March 25, 2020: I have replaced the chart to show the 2020 blooming date of March 25.
     
    Last edited: Mar 25, 2020
  2. jtremblay

    jtremblay Active Member

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    I agree with Wendy. The Akebono buds at Burrard are very advanced and flowers should be opening very soon (within about 10 days).

    Most trees have only buds:

    20200314_burrardskytrain_akebono_tremblay_IMG_1187.jpg 20200314_burrardskytrain_akebono_tremblay_IMG_1170.jpg

    But you'll find that some trees at the front (which are most exposed to the sun) have a few blossoms already:

    20200314_burrardskytrain_akebono_tremblay_IMG_1218.jpg 20200314_burrardskytrain_akebono_tremblay_IMG_1191.jpg 20200314_burrardskytrain_akebono_tremblay_IMG_1217.jpg
     

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  3. wcutler

    wcutler Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator VCBF Cherry Scout 10 Years

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    Four days on from the previous posting, the Burrard Station trees are not "open", but they're coming along right to Jessica's prediction, with a lot more open flowers today. This is a lovely stage for the flowers, when the buds are pink and the open flowers have a lot of variation in colour.
    Akebono_BurrardStation_Cutler_20200319_153725.jpg Akebono_BurrardStation_Cutler_20200319_153838.jpg Akebono_BurrardStation_Cutler_20200319_154355.jpg
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  4. yaletowner

    yaletowner Active Member 10 Years

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    In this dismal time of the COVID-19 pandemic, the cherry blossoms are providing some positive contrast. This nice little row of akebono's by Jardines Lookout, Lupo Restaurant, the Firehall and the VPL central library is gradually revealing itself for another year. For this years photos, here is a series of photos from the past few days showing its evolution from a very unimpressive lot of pink buds on spindly branches that were left from the pruning into hopefully the usual splendor.
     
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  5. yaletowner

    yaletowner Active Member 10 Years

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    The Akebono by Coopers Park are blossoming nicely now (well ahead of others in the area further west into David Lam Park - those are a few days behind).
     

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  6. wcutler

    wcutler Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator VCBF Cherry Scout 10 Years

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    I'm sure Burrard Station trees used to be the first to bloom, but I'm surprised this year how many 'Akebono' around are a little ahead of those. Or maybe right up with them.
    It's interesting to see the day-by-day series, with the dates on the photo names.
     
  7. wcutler

    wcutler Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator VCBF Cherry Scout 10 Years

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    Burrard Station 'Akebono' are OPEN. And so few pesky people looking at them. :( I hope in a few years that we can forget why that was.
    The official name is Art Phillips Park.
    Akebono_BurrardStation_Cutler_20200325_162347.jpg
    Akebono_BurrardStation_Cutler_20200325_162137.jpg Akebono_BurrardStation_Cutler_20200325_162239.jpg Akebono_BurrardStation_Cutler_20200325_162433.jpg Akebono_BurrardStation_Cutler_20200325_162441.jpg Akebono_BurrardStation_Cutler_20200325_162638.jpg
    Akebono_BurrardStation_Cutler_20200325_162550.jpg

    Not too far from here, on Hastings at Hornby, is a nice allee planted with 'Akebono' (and a nice chocolate shop). The second photo tree is at the end of that area, at Cordova.
    Akebono_HornbyHastings_Cutler_20200325_163411.jpg Akebono_HornbyHastings_Cutler_20200325_163606.jpg

    These 'Akebono' are at Granville Square.
    Akebono_GranvillePlaza-200Granville_Cutler_20200325_164113.jpg Akebono_GranvillePlaza-200Granville_Cutler_20200325_164231.jpg Akebono_GranvillePlaza-200Granville_Cutler_20200325_164311.jpg

    This sort-of private park has two entrances on Pender between Jervis and Broughton. I suspect it really was required by the city to be public space. Some of the gates have been left open, I think so people don't have to touch them to enter.
    Akebono_PenderJervis_Cutler_20200325_161001.jpg
     
  8. wcutler

    wcutler Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator VCBF Cherry Scout 10 Years

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    I have seen a few open flowers on 'Shirotae' in the West End and Fairview (but not Stanley Park), but two of the five trees on Burrard at Joey's, across from the Sutton Place Hotel, have a lot of open flowers.
    Shirotae_820Burrard_Cutler_20200325_170237.jpg Shirotae_820Burrard_Cutler_20200325_170301.jpg Shirotae_820Burrard_Cutler_20200325_170329.jpg

    Across the street (really should be posted in the West End neighbourhood), the five 'Shirotae' have just a few blossoms.
    Shirotae_SuttonPlaceHotel_Cutler_20200325_170530.jpg
     
  9. wcutler

    wcutler Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator VCBF Cherry Scout 10 Years

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    I thought I discovered a new location, but I see these were posted three years ago. 1277 Melville.
    Akebono_1277MelvilleJervis_Cutler_20200325_161324.jpg Akebono_1277MelvilleJervis_Cutler_20200325_161417.jpg Akebono_1277MelvilleJervis_Cutler_20200325_161457.jpg
     
  10. yaletowner

    yaletowner Active Member 10 Years

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    The 100 Akebono in and around David Lam Park are looking pretty good - note the rapid progression from a single blossom to the nice display a week later (update: everything in full blossom for Palm Sunday!)

     

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    Last edited: Apr 4, 2020
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  11. yaletowner

    yaletowner Active Member 10 Years

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    This row of Akebono by the townhomes on the seawall are always a nice sight

     

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    Last edited: Mar 29, 2020
  12. yaletowner

    yaletowner Active Member 10 Years

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    The Yaletown House 'Akebono' are back in bloom
     

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    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 27, 2020
  13. yaletowner

    yaletowner Active Member 10 Years

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    I look forward to seeing these old Shirotae struggle on and while from afar, the branches look bare, every bud it has is fully blossomed now with leaves now there too. Catch it while you can.

    Well it seems that they had more to show than I thought last week and are putting on a decent showing although I still find the branches a bit bare.

     

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    Last edited: Apr 4, 2020
  14. yaletowner

    yaletowner Active Member 10 Years

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    It seems that this little Rancho installed back in 2014 by the once home to four Car2Go vehicles has outlasted that operation although it's partner around the corner does not seem to have. The old Shirotae at Helmcken Park and couple of Akebono at Yaletown House nearby hopefully provide inspiration (did you know that trees can communicate through their root networks per Hidden Life of Trees book?).

    OK both trees are still there but don't seem to be growing very fast after 6 years.
     

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    Last edited: Apr 4, 2020
  15. yaletowner

    yaletowner Active Member 10 Years

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    And yes, these now mature Akebono's are back in bloom on Seabreeze Walk / Cycling path
    Interesting to see that trees at this place and time of the season have been identified as Schmitt and Snofozam long ago. I assume those old trees were replaced and the Akebono replacements matured quickly with quite thick trunks. There are Kanzan on the south side of the path which will blossom later.

     
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 30, 2020
  16. wcutler

    wcutler Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator VCBF Cherry Scout 10 Years

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    Schmitt cherries are (I think still are) interspersed with the 'Rancho' you can see in your photo across from these 'Akebono'. There was a single 'Snofozam' near a garage entrance that I think I remember is no longer there.
     
  17. yaletowner

    yaletowner Active Member 10 Years

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  18. wcutler

    wcutler Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator VCBF Cherry Scout 10 Years

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    This public area between two buildings east of Denman on Georgia looks lovely now.
    Akebono_GeorgiaDenman_Cutler_20200331_152250.jpg

    If you walk through the middle and turn right on Bayshore Drive, you come at the dead end to another lovely landscaped area that is unfortunately private for the condos it belongs to.
    Akebono_1680BayshoreDr_Cutler_20200331_152749.jpg Akebono_1680BayshoreDr_Cutler_20200331_153248.jpg
    You can walk just a bit up the path to the right to see this horse sculpture. The trees have grown up enough now that you can see the horses with the trees as a backdrop, up close or from Georgia Street. There is no plaque with the sculptor's name, and I haven't been able to locate it on the internet.
    Akebono-with-horses_1680BayshoreDr_Cutler_20200402_133354.jpg HorseSculpture-1680BayshoreDr_Cutler_20200402_133525.jpg Akebono-with-horses_1680BayshoreDr_Cutler_20200331_152814.jpg
     
  19. yaletowner

    yaletowner Active Member 10 Years

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    The Ukon in the median between Pacific Blvd and Expo Blvd at Nelson are putting on quite a nice show and it might be worth the risk to pull down the face covering to enjoy their smells on this easter weekend. The nearby Helmcken Park Shirotae with the two street Rancho's are also still nicely in bloom. Beatty Mews Kanzen are in bud but need another week to fully blossom. The Akebono in the area are pretty much done. Note that there are four billboard exhibits for the Capture Photography festival also nearby on Expo Blvd just east of Roger's Arena as well as one on the Roundhouse Yaletown Canada Line station to the west off Pacific Blvd & Davie St.

    [QUOTE from 2018="yaletowner, post: 362743, member: 51762"]Time has taken its toll on this once spectacular grove of Ukon and now there is only 4 left and the bare branches of one that doesn't show any signs of life. The remaining ones are in full bloom though and are looking nice for the Sun Runners passing nearby in a few days.[/QUOTE]
     

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    Last edited: Apr 10, 2020
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  20. wcutler

    wcutler Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator VCBF Cherry Scout 10 Years

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    I think we need to note that the Sun Runners quote is from 2018. There is not a Sun Run this year.
    It's interesting how good that 'Rancho' looks - more flowers out before the leaves.
     
  21. yaletowner

    yaletowner Active Member 10 Years

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    The sunny mild weather has hastened the Beatty Mews Kanzan blossoms faster than I thought just 3 days ago as they are presenting quite a decent show today with many more buds yet to blossom. This about does it for the Yaletown cherry blossom season but neighbourhoods at higher elevations could continue for quite awhile yet. [April 14: Added a residents view from the overhead walkway]

    From 2019:
     

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    Last edited: Apr 14, 2020
  22. yaletowner

    yaletowner Active Member 10 Years

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    One of these old trees also has a blossom appearing from its trunk!
     

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  23. yaletowner

    yaletowner Active Member 10 Years

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    The two old Victory Square Kanzan in blossom again.
     

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  24. yaletowner

    yaletowner Active Member 10 Years

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    The stretch of old Kanzan along both sides of Dunsmuir from Richards to Seymour are nicely in blossom now and then there is a solitary Kanzan a block and half away up Richards just south of Robson.
     

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  25. yaletowner

    yaletowner Active Member 10 Years

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    In Yaletown, the little Kanzan trees across from the Capture Photography Festival display on the Canada Line station are getting big. In a few years, they might overwhelm the elevated walkway they now occupy. Meanwhile around the corner and up Davie St, the stretch of Kanzan on both sides between Homer and Richards are putting on a nice consistent display of pink blossoms.
     

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