With the sunny weather predicted throughout the region in the days ahead, people can expect to catch the best views of cherry blossoms in bloom this weekend.
Nikki Rothwell, Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Center extension specialist and coordinator, said from her facility’s inland location off S. Center Highway, sweet cherries are 95-100% in bloom. Depending on the variety, she said she’s also seen Benton cherry trees, a sweet variety, at almost full bloom. While tart (Montmorency) cherries will be blossoming most likely by Friday. The Gold sweet cherry variety, she added, is at about 65-70% in bloom as of Wednesday. For orchards located near the tip of the peninsula such as in Northport and Leelanau Township, sweet cherries and other fruit trees still have some time until reaching full blossom.
“We’ve had tons of people call this year about blossoms… I think things are looking great and I think the weather is going to be perfect. It’s going to be a beautiful blossom season,” Rothwell said. “It looks like a great pollination window too. Bees don’t like it when it’s wet, they like it when it’s sunny and warm, so it looks like this weekend is going to be excellent pollination weather.”
