The Whitcomb at Ayshire and Aubrey are now 100% bloom. They are buzzing with bees! (Petals haven't started to fall yet.)
The Okame cherry tree at Charles and Fell might be slightly past its prime -- lots of tiny petals on the ground, most remaining blossoms have missing petals -- but it's such a rare tree that it's worth a trip. Tip: If you have a good enough zoom, make sure to notice the long calyx (the back of the flower). That's what makes this blossom special. (There's a better close up here: Okame blossoms will brighten your day - Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival and here Okame cherry tree (Charles street/Fell) - Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival) It's better to go in the morning or early afternoon. The sun sets behind the house and the tree, so it gets dark pretty fast. I went at 5pm when there was just only one ray of sunshine hitting the top of the canopy.
The six Pandora trees behind Brentwood mall (at Fairlawn and Brentlawn) are 100% in bloom. The main characteristics of this flower is that the tip of the petals is slightly darker pink. However, as the flower progresses on the trees (and also once the flower is fallen) it's hard to see this since the flowers turn white. Another characteristic of this tree is that the flower falls WHOLE. You'll find the grounds covered in flowers. WARNING: Expect lots of disruption and construction if you visit the Pandora trees (especially during the week-day). There is a lot of construction going on. It seems crews will still be digging up the street and machinery is parked right under the Pandora trees. If you can't get access to the Pandora, you can console yourself by visiting the plum blossoms. We have as many plum blossoms as the west-end (in the second photo, the trees in the backgrounds are plum blossoms).
Accolade are slow to bloom in Burnaby. This Accolade tree at Halifax and Kensington now stands alone (having lost its companion tree two years ago). Some branches were cut. Only a few blossoms (30%) Peak bloom predicted in 5-7 days. (Photos from March 19) PS Meanwhile, only a few blocks away, the three Accolade at Halifax and Moore (my favourite location for Accolade in Burnaby) are not even open yet. Will post when they are bloomed UPDATE APRIL 1: 3 Accolade at Halifax/Moore now in full bloom. Visit with 3-5 days.
One Akebono on a private residence on Duthie (between Gibson and Broadway). The tree is close to the street with low branches over the sidewalk. Great for closeups! Akebono are just starting to bloom in Burnaby, so you'll get full bloom in about 3-5 day.
Akebono will reach peak bloom in 3-5 days in Burnaby, including at Cliff (corner Curtis) where you'll find a row of old Akebono.
There are 10 trees at Cliff and Curtis labelled as Afterglow on the VCBF map. I've never seen Afterglow in person, so I thought I'd go have a look. My first impression: Afterglow look very similar to Whitcomb -- except Whitcomb blossoms have already faded and petals have fallen, so you know this can't be a Whitcomb. I really love the flowers. It looks like Afterglow will stay bright pink. I also saw green leaf buds growing with the flower buds. The blossoms are just starting to open (about 25-30% blooms). The branches are low, which is great when you take photos. Visit within 5-7 days for peak bloom.
Akebono are in full bloom in Burnaby at Georgia street (between Willingdon and Gilmore): Beautiful archway at Grant Place (near Sperling):
On Sperling, close to Fell, the street is planted with both Umineko and SomeiYoshino. Umineko are in full bloom: Somei-yoshino too:
This is late now, but I had a friend check on an 'Accolade' on McGregor that was posted six years ago, that I added to the Appreciation: - Cherries that look like real trees thread in Ornamental Cherries. The tree is still there. He took the photo March 29, just forgot to send it.
Gorgeous day for a drive. For video of 8 blocks of blossoms from Georgia Street from Boundary and Willingdon, click here Akebono with the out of bloom 'Autumnalis Rosea' mixed in (Thanks WCutler).
Randolph Avenue between Imperial St. and Bryant St., Burnaby. Akebono trees on a quiet neighbourhood. Kids were out playing. Be careful driving. Short video
My favourite 'Tai-haku' is in bloom, on Malvern near Stanley (well, that's what I've been naming it - its closer to Burris). There is another large tree of the same cultivar on this street. Here are some photos from 2018. Burnaby Judith Anderson has been good about letting us know when it's in bloom - this is her photo. Last year's was entitled Tai-haku avec porta-potty. This year's is sans porta-potty.
Yokihi at 6606 Grant (south side, between Kensington and Sterling) is starting its bloom, along with a Kanzan across the street at April 14, 2020.
Burnaby has a lively corner with Central Park's edge at Willingdon/Patterson and Imperial. Three cultivars in bloom at April 14, 2020. Shirotae kitty corner to the park at SE Patterson and Imperial. Ukon at NW Willingdon and Imperial. Fenced in behind the Ukon are the three Tai-haku trees.
Burnaby is perfect for Pink Perfection. Four accessible trees, across from Central Park on the garden grounds of apartment building at Patterson and Mayberry (NE side). One stand-alone tree is further along in its bloom at April 17, 2020.
CBC has for some reason posted a half-hour live feed on Facebook of Burnaby Mountain (near Simon Fraser University) today, April 18. The 'Somei-yoshino' cherries come on at 4:15: https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=223388632409895. They're on for about four minutes.
Two Ama-no-gawa trees are just past peak bloom on the NE corner of Royal Oak and Rumble, at April 21, 2020.
The two Shiro-fugen trees, along with a Kanzan have put behind bars in MacPherson Park (MacPherson and Rumble) at COVID-April 21, 2020.
The group of Birch Bark Cherry trees in front of New Sakura So retirement home, 6677 Southoaks Crescent/Kingsway (across from the Nikkei Cultural Centre) has always been pretty stingy in its bloom, as if most of the life force went into the bark. At April 21, 2020.