A mere four days ahead of spring, the first cherry blossoms of the season bloomed in Central Park.
While yes, experts predicted that cherry blossom season might be delayed due to the Polar Vortex and its less than desirable weather conditions, we have proof that NYC is slowly but surely defrosting — the pink petals are proof!
Where to find the first cherry blossoms of the year in NYC
Photographer Rommel Tan uncovered a solo tree near Central Park’s Great Lawn on Sunday, March 16th, 2025 that is beginning to sprout li’l pink blooms. In fact, this discovery is so premature that even the Central Park cherry blossom tracker hasn’t registered the buds just yet. Though they be but little, they are fierce!
Similarly to 2024’s first cherry blossoms of the season, Central Park’s 2025 blooms are in the same area and are the same variety: higan, which have pale pink and white petals. According to the Central Park Conservancy, a higan tree in Fukushima, Japan, which is called the Miharu Takizakura, is 1,000 years old. Can you imagine?!
Although there is still quite a ways to go before the florals are fully in bloom, we’ll count this small step as a victory. Be sure to keep your eye on the cherry blossom tracker. And if you’re in Brooklyn, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden cherry blossom tracker is also keeping a very watchful eye on Mother Nature.