Unique for its longevity, the cherry blossom time series shows the average peak bloom date was relatively stable for about 1,000 years, from about 812 to 1800. ADAD“Since the 1800s, warming has led to a steady trend toward earlier flowering that continues to the present day,” Cook said. Cherry blossoms have burst unusually early all over Japan this spring. In 1850, the average flowering date was about April 17; now, it’s closer to April 5. “For trees that flower before they leaf out, like cherry trees, [a spring freeze] is especially damaging because they don’t generate another set of flower buds," Crimmins wrote in an email.

Source: Washington Post March 29, 2021 20:26 UTC