Fidelio Desbradel and his wife Leonor Desbradel, of the Dominican Republic, take a selfie in front of a Tulip Magnolia tree in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017. Crocuses, cherry trees, magnolia trees are blooming several weeks early because of an unusually warm February. Some climate experts say it looks like, because of an assist from global warming, spring has sprung what may be record early this year in about half the nation. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)A mild winter could mean the earliest bloom on record for Washington, D.C.’s famous cherry trees, officials say.
National Mall and Memorial Parks Superintendent Gay Vietzke said Wednesday that the peak bloom is expected between March 14 and March 17. The National Park Service says the earliest recorded peak bloom for the trees is March 15.
Peak bloom is defined as the day when 70 percent of the Yoshino cherry trees around the city’s Tidal Basin are blossoming. Once peak bloom is reached, the blossoms can remain on the trees from four to 10 days.
Vietzke says the bloom is “very early” but not unheard of. Records dating to 1921 show the earliest recorded peak bloom was 1990, when it came on March 15. A cold winter means the trees are dormant longer, Vietzke said, but mild weather has meant the earlier development of the buds. Already, trees in the city are flowering.
“Spring is springing. Flowering trees are starting to do their thing,” Vietzke said.