Montgomery Parks has launched a new online map showcasing the locations of various cherry tree species in its parks, including black cherry, Yoshino, Japanese flowering, Higan, and Okame trees.
Great opportunities for blossom viewing can be found at Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreational Park and Sligo Avenue Neighborhood Park in Silver Spring, as well as Brookside Gardens in Wheaton, Kemp Mill Urban Park, Leland Neighborhood Park in Chevy Chase, and South Germantown Recreational Park.
“We want people to realize they don’t necessarily have to drive far to see cherry blossoms,” said Montgomery Parks GIS coordinator Keegan Clifford. “The flowering cherry trees map may reveal a few trees, or a healthy stand within a short distance of their home.”
The cherry trees map is a feature of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission’s Geographic Information System, or GIS, but does not indicate the expected peak bloom time for the cherry trees, which is usually in late March or early April.
“Montgomery Parks’ cherry blossom season is more of a slow rollout rather than a sudden burst of color, due to the presence of several species, which bloom at different times,” said Montgomery Parks urban forester James Polino. “So, my best advice is regular check-ins on the blossoms in several spots. It’s a good excuse to get out into nature as spring arrives.”
The Cherry Trees in Montgomery Parks map is available online at mcplanning.maps.arcgis.com.
Photo: © yoko_ken_chan – stock.adobe.com