JACKSON PARK — It’s shaping up to be another down year for Chicago’s cherry blossom trees.
Many cherry blossom trees in Jackson Park’s Columbia Basin won’t fully bloom this year due to “erratic spring fluctuation in weather,” according to a news release from the Chicago Park District.
This is the second consecutive year the bright pink trees in Jackson Park haven’t fully bloomed. The city started tracking blooming patterns of the famously finicky trees in 2018.
“Some sporadically opened fully during the 70+ degree days in late March/early April, but sadly those have been subject to the strong winds, snow and rainy weather that followed, and the petals have since fallen off,” according to the news release.
The Park District started planting cherry blossom trees in 2013 to commemorate the 120th anniversary of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition.
Fifty trees were added in following years to honor the relationship between Chicago and Japan, according to the news release.
In fall 2022 the Park District planted another 34 cherry blossom trees to border the Museum of Science and Industry, 5700 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive, bringing the city’s total to 190.
The Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Chicago is looking to plant 20 more cherry blossom trees at Jackson Park over the next three years.
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