Pittsburgh Sakura Project

06/16/2026

Our next Work Session is Sunday, June 28, from 8 am to 11 am, followed by a light lunch. We are currently recruiting volunteers for this work session via our website, https://sites.google.com/view/pghsakuraproject-english/home. Follow the link to learn how to volunteer and please register via our Google Form (write in the date of the work session if it is not already a choice).
Please note that we are starting work early in case of heat, and are working on Sunday to avoid Saturday event road closures. Content of work includes some w**ding and suckering, mulching, checking the TreeDiapers, and replacing several deer fences, and likely watering, depending on recent rainfall.

Previous Work Session
Big thanks to the 16 people who turned out on Saturday, May 30, to w**d, mulch, and install 24 TreeDiapers to help the trees survive dry spells! We worked hard, from 10 am to around 12:30, and then relaxed over a light lunch. The weather was beautiful and quite comfortable.

05/27/2026

Update for the Work Session on Saturday, 5/30:
The start time has been moved back to 10 am. Due to a morning closure of Tennis Court Rd. for an event, please park at the dog run area (where Lakeshore Dr. ends at Walter Rd.)
come to all or part). Register on our website. https://sites.google.com/.../pghsakuraproject.../volunteer

05/02/2026

Next work sessions will be Saturdays 5/23 (10 am to noon) and 5/30 (9 am to noon--come to all or part). Register on our website. https://sites.google.com/view/pghsakuraproject-english/volunteer

04/07/2026

Thanks to Mark Palmer for this lovely photo of Autumnalis cherry blossoms taken near Harmony Shelter and the pond on Friday, 4/3/2026. Besides its beauty, it epitomizes this year's cherry blossom season: leaves, buds, and flowers at the same time. You have to look closely to find the beauty in the combination. You also need good timing!

04/05/2026

You can see these photos as a regular post too. Taken on Saturday, April 4, 2026.

04/04/2026

The blossoms this year are weak, but still beautiful when you get up close.

04/04/2026

These photos show what is probably the peak blossom, taken this afternoon. You can see that there are some nice flowers but not many. The stress mainly from the weather has caused the flowers and leaves to occur at the same time. But if you want to come and see them, they are pretty and the park is nice.

04/04/2026

Sadly, we must announce that we are not expecting many cherry blossoms this year. Cold weather at just at the wrong time damaged buds on healthy trees. Other trees received major pruning this winter to control the black knot fungus. Those trees are putting energy into making leaves, not flowers. Some dying trees (mostly due to black knot fungus) have been removed, and a whole grove of healthy Pink Flair cherries has been cut down for what looks like a project to redevelop the playground.
Accordingly, our Hanami Event, scheduled for April 18, 2 - 4 pm at Harmony Shelter, will change purpose to an information session.

03/31/2026

We have an updated 2026 Cherry Blossom Forecast just posted to

Blossom Forecast Updated 3/30/2026 Unlike a normal year, many buds sustained frost damage. We aren't expecting a great blossom season, but surely some trees will be beautiful. Please check back here for updates. See the map below to find the "Areas." 🌸ーArea　A Accolade are suffering from

03/29/2026

Same as last year: To contribute your photos of the cherry trees in North Park for our use on our website, Facebook, and Instagram, please email them to our photo mailbox, at [email protected], together with your name, the date and place you took them, and that you are allowing us to use them.

These photos are from 3/22/2026, showing buds in various stages of swelling. We expect that the pink Okame northwest of the tennis courts will blossom very soon. It will be fortunate if they can hold off until Sunday, 3/29, so the new blossoms are not damaged by freezing.