Mar
9
 |
| photo by Rita Button |
Usually, bleak February winds and capricious temperatures motivate the apple and plum blossoms to stay tightly furled. 2015 seems different, warmer, resulting in the white and pink blossoms forming archways over a number of streets, especially in James Bay. We are including a schedule of blossoms based on averaging records from the past. This year, the sun and warm weather have coaxed the blossoms to an unusually early appearance, creating a beautiful world where everything good seems possible. The schedule, therefore, may not reflect this year’s blooming world.
Guide to the Flowering Trees of James Bay
By Ann-Lee and Gordon Switzer
Originally printed in the James Bay Beacon in April 2005
Everyone in James Bay has noticed: the flowering trees are out early this year.
Date of Blossom Street Type of Tree
Late Feb-early Mar Clarence, Montreal, Purple Leaf or Pissard Plum
Niagara, Government, (Prunus cerasifera pissardii)
Menzies, Croft, Paddon
Early March Government, Ontario, Dark Purple Leaf Plum or Nigra
Kingston, Niagara, (prunus cerasifera atropurpur
Croft nigra) fragrant, pinker blossom with
darker-purple leaves
Mid-March South Turner, Rendall, Yoshino Cherry (Prunus x
Pendray, Belleville, yodoensis) single-blossom, pale
Menzies, Beckley pink
Late March Menzies, Michigan, Kanzan or Sekiyama (Prunus
Early April Ontario, Erie serrulata ‘Kwanzan’) clusters of
double rose-red blooms on upright-
growing blossoms
Late April Niagara (Dock & Double-White or Gean Cherries
Oswego) (Prunus avium grandiflora)
Late April-May Irving Park White Goddess or Shirofugen
(Prunus serrulata ‘Shirofugen’)