Maredyth, that was posted in 2013 (date on the left). May 2002 is the date I joined the forums. We didn't start the VCBF section of the forums until April 2007, from what I can find. At least the earliest posting I can easily find is my posting of a pear that I thought was a cherry, but I think we would have started it the month before that. I'm always surprised that 'Shiro-fugen' would be planted as boulevard trees, as the nice ones can spread to be wide trees, but there are places where it seems to work. The Parks Board is still using them. At least I think it's the Parks Board. One that used to be near me was a guerilla planting.
Here is a 'Yae-beni-shidare' that Nadia posted last year, on 33rd just east of Cambie, looking past its prime, but not a lot past its prime. It's the second mid-season cherry in our book, and it looks wonderful today when all the late-season cherries are open, even right around this location. It seems that the cold weather now is keeping the flowers from fading as quickly as they usually do. The 'Pink Perfection' at the south entrance to QE Park is the last one left around 37th, I think. Flowers are fading to quite white now. It's not looking too great. There are three of these 'Shogetsu' on the south lawn of the park. Someone noticed today that the grower's tag says Shirofugen. Oh well. I'll try to get the rootstock growth removed. That's been done on one at the 33rd Ave lawn.
Here are three for the map from last weekend. 'Ama-no-gawa' north of 35th on Kersland. Several 'Kanzan' on 35th between Kersland and Cambie. Group of three 'Kanzan' in the park just east of Kersland near 35th.
Yesterday I stumbled into a beautiful ornamental cherry, an Avium Plena on Manitoba just north of 18th on the corner. It was already documented on the map but in full bloom currently so I have enclosed pictures
I found what looked like quite a young amanogawa tree in the front yard at 226 Talisman east of Yukon. I really like the lovely blossoms of this cultivar!
Cherry Blossom spotting gets really easy when it's a new tree and it is labeled which is what I found at 387 Talisman just east of Yukon between King Edward and Queen Elizabeth Park. This was I could be sure it was a Shugetsu. i hope it does well here! it is just across and down the street from that Amanogawa! Close by on Yukon are several Kanzan...
The seven old Ukon trees in Queen Elizabeth Park, on the 33rd/Ontario entrance are in full bloom now.
What a difference a day makes. Now they are filming "The Flash" at Mountain View Cemetery. After asking a few questions, I found out the film crew is only there for one day. Should be back to normal April 9 .
Managed to evade the security at Mountain View Cemetery for a few minutes. Even found a Beni-shidare in bloom. Noticed more leaves and fewer blossoms on both Kanzan and Shirofugen - than in other locations in the city.
This city has planted in Queen Elizabeth Park, in honour of the VCBF 10th Anniversary, two 'Akebono', three 'Shirotae', eleven 'Kanzan' (in two groups), and eight 'Shiro-fugen' (in two groups). We could use photos for our map when they come into bloom in the spring. Here is the city's maps of the locations.
About 600 cyclists at the start of Sunday's annual Pacific Populaire rides enjoyed these old Umineko trees that survived the very nicely done just completed re construction of Riley Park across the street from the Hillcrest Community Centre and Nat Bailey Park. There are now community gardens on the north side of the park while the old fieldhouse is still there as well as these old trees that were some of the earliest posted in 2008 and most recently in 2014. There were quite nice displays of cherry blossoms all along the 100k route that went past UBC's main campus and around Richmond (mostly Akebono's though so these Umineko's in full bloom too were quite a nice view to see at the finish).
There are around 35 very young 'Akebono' and 'Somei-yoshino' on the south side of QE Park, from around Columbia to Ontario. There are even more west from Columbia, and some on the south side of 37th, but I did not count those. Starting at the group at Columbia and moving west, there are 'Akebono' - 10 In a group of four, back just a bit from the street, there are 'Akebono' - 3, surrounding 'Somei-yoshino' - 1 East of the park entrance, moving east, there are 'Somei-yoshino' - 2 'Akebono' - 1 'Somei-yoshino' - 2 'Akebono' - 1 'Somei-yoshino' - 4 'Akebono' - 6 These are 'Akebono' west of the entrance, with one 'Somei-yoshino' and east of the entrance, a mix 'Akebono' east of the entrance, and (3rd and 4th photos) near Ontario Street. and 'Somei-yoshino' east of the entrance
On Kersland just at 37th is one very nice 'Akebono'. You can see that it's low-grafted, as the growth off the trunk is also 'Akebono'. The main attractions in the park, at the 33rd Avenue entrance, were no secret. They look perfect now and everyone was there to photograph them and enjoy them. One 'Somei-yoshino' (first photo) and the rest 'Akebono'.
Last year I noticed these young trees in Mountain View Cemetery, but did not get around to photographing them in 2016. Not sure when they were planted, but I would guess 3-5 years ago. Located two blocks south of the 33rd street entrance. The first group is a mixture of 9 'Shirotae' and 8 'Akebono' (I think), planted as an alley. Further south is another alley, with 13 'Shirotae' and 6 'Shirofugen'. These trees look slightly larger.
I've done a nearly identical set before from 17th and Sophia, but it's hard to resist repeating it. This intersection is seriously pink in every direction. Looking west, north, east and south. Other good streets in the area are Carolina, with 'Kanzan' running for many blocks, and St George.
Lots to see at Mountain View Cemetery May 2, 2017. Mature 'Kanzan' near end of bloom. Mature 'Shiro-fugen' just beginning to blossom. Best Prunus avium I've seen.
I guess it is 'Ama-no-gawa', based on previous posting #25. Tree is located on southwest corner of Quebec and 40th. And on the southeast corner of Quebec and 40th, I found another swing for you Wendy, suspended from 'Kanzan'.