Cherry blossoms reach stage 1: Green buds

WASHINGTON — It’s official: cherry blossoms are coming!

Green buds popped up Tuesday on the Yoshino cherry trees around the Tidal Basin — stage one of six on the path to peak bloom. 

The National Park Service tracks the six stages: 1, green buds; 2, florets visible; 3, extension of florets; 4, peduncle elongation; 5, puffy blossom; and finally, 6, peak bloom. 

Peak bloom is expected between March 28 and 31, NPS said at the end of last month. The agency said the timing is subject to weather. This year is about a week behind compared to last year, when the trees hit stage one on March 2, 2024. Peak bloom last year happened on March 17, 2024. 

But last year was the second earliest peak since 1990. Historically, the average peak bloom is April 2 — putting this year right on schedule.

To gauge the timing, NPS counts the high temperature days starting when the trees reach dormancy over the summer and looks at historical trends for the trees. The agency also watches one tree that usually blooms about two weeks before the rest,  called the "indicator tree."

Last year, stage two came just three days later, on March 3, 2024. 

Yoshino cherry trees bloom for a few days. They may bloom longer if the weather is cool and calm, or bloom for a shorter period if there is heavy rain or windy conditions.

Keep track of the cherry blossom watch with WUSA9.