When Will the Cherry Trees Bloom
Every March, anticipation fills the air as over one hundred thousand Yoshino cherry trees are preparing to bloom.
We’ve compiled some key information on what influences the area’s Cherry Trees to bloom and what you can expect this year!
![Graphic over cherry trees blossoms that reads "when will the blossom bloom in macon, ga?](https://macon.imgix.net/images/Proposal-Spots-Blog.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=320&q=80&w=320&s=d911d288cd9733543b9dcb3b126a69ad 320w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/Proposal-Spots-Blog.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=540&q=80&w=540&s=be13312116fa9f402fa21e627ceee223 540w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/Proposal-Spots-Blog.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&q=80&w=768&s=9029efc81cda6a456b94f0029dc0af5e 768w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/Proposal-Spots-Blog.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1024&q=80&w=1024&s=167e1be1f62df8744c26cf3807960905 810w)
![](https://macon.imgix.net/images/Icons/record-purple.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=320&q=80&w=320&s=adb041108a0bdfda120c45315522828f 320w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/Icons/record-purple.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=540&q=80&w=540&s=f13bc7ca130067ef843d3fa03e3d3eb8 540w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/Icons/record-purple.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&q=80&w=768&s=d97e043c2948a8d8f7ec948c348d6ce0 768w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/Icons/record-purple.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1024&q=80&w=1024&s=5e4395051f0910381bcb03a37373f39a 791w)
Statistically, the average peak bloom date for Macon is March 23. This data comes from none other than William A. Fickling Sr.., who first began to propagate Yoshino cherry trees in the 1950s and kept a log of bloom periods in Macon for over ten years but this can change depending on a few key factors.
![](https://macon.imgix.net/images/Fickling-Home.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=320&q=80&w=320&s=3fc3fa668eefec1c4dffba45de5f4c36 320w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/Fickling-Home.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=540&q=80&w=540&s=c9319a06b1621d8c9f6653b26e53c5fc 540w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/Fickling-Home.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&q=80&w=768&s=3bd37cd85433fee103b65dd3fa80fcf1 768w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/Fickling-Home.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1024&q=80&w=1024&s=a856f9c0986abe68a74cf1ced1ca00fa 1024w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/Fickling-Home.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1200&q=80&w=1200&s=a4cce5931df6308e62b80a3a0c10d7b9 1200w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/Fickling-Home.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1440&q=80&w=1440&s=d193af8b893f3db4a9cdd253767aed7f 1440w)
WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS – CHILL HOURS
Cherry trees need a minimum number of chill hours to bloom during their average peak in the region and sometimes milder winter weather can cause the trees to take a little longer before opening up. Other trees that follow this same pattern include one of Georgia's most well-known: the peach tree. Despite many of us wanting warmer weather, for the cherry trees' sake, we may need to hope for chillier weather leading up to March.
![](https://macon.imgix.net/images/VisitMaconLY_8738-International-Cherry-Blossom-Festival.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=320&q=80&w=320&s=ad52b26440cecb6ef6b0c4a99ae53397 320w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/VisitMaconLY_8738-International-Cherry-Blossom-Festival.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=540&q=80&w=540&s=96c190f088dbed947e8819e700ed8919 540w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/VisitMaconLY_8738-International-Cherry-Blossom-Festival.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&q=80&w=768&s=cdbc02288901e9c4aa67a3a55a5d35ee 768w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/VisitMaconLY_8738-International-Cherry-Blossom-Festival.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1024&q=80&w=1024&s=3fd7b7facb4d13cfaa409973f825e8f0 1024w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/VisitMaconLY_8738-International-Cherry-Blossom-Festival.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1200&q=80&w=1200&s=f4fbaf473cd9fcdc9eea50c22fd17b96 1200w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/VisitMaconLY_8738-International-Cherry-Blossom-Festival.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1440&q=80&w=1440&s=a54dea6bb1e85f237eb29ccd64aa509f 1440w)
MICROCLIMATE
You may notice on your walk downtown that the cherry trees look nowhere near close to blooming but strangely the trees planted in North Macon near Wesleyan Woods are already showing off their blossoms. This is in part due to several microclimates in various areas of Macon. The city's climate is unique as it is bisected by the Fall Line and depending on where they are located, there will be a few days of bloom variation.
![](https://macon.imgix.net/images/weslyan-college-trees.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=320&q=80&w=320&s=9d17b675d5cf9618cb668d55b81e3c5e 320w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/weslyan-college-trees.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=540&q=80&w=540&s=aef0fce66255194674176693013383fe 540w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/weslyan-college-trees.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&q=80&w=768&s=e493f6f617cc1a0661491f04763eef3d 768w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/weslyan-college-trees.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1024&q=80&w=1024&s=b575e37712936423b21f0506cc70a029 1024w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/weslyan-college-trees.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1200&q=80&w=1200&s=a2f0d31087f4a2c4c11497432d1a04ee 1200w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/weslyan-college-trees.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1440&q=80&w=1440&s=0794c8d70d4f2fd2c5eeb02bd9e01584 1347w)
AGE AND BLOOM LENGTH
Another aspect that must be considered is the age of the trees: simply, the younger the tree, the earlier it typically blooms. After the tree begins to bloom, the length can range from 7 to 10 days while others can hang on for as long as two weeks! Pests, diseases, and harsh storms can all threaten the longevity of the bloom period as well.
![](https://macon.imgix.net/images/Cherry-Blossom-4.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=320&q=80&w=320&s=31222539f07f2ba5bd2339e573c34eb1 320w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/Cherry-Blossom-4.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=540&q=80&w=540&s=193305cd9fcd9a1336ac9561cfc16ddc 540w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/Cherry-Blossom-4.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&q=80&w=768&s=3dd798bdad24176a790b805427e7e62a 768w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/Cherry-Blossom-4.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1024&q=80&w=1024&s=abae6a9734e5a5fa07bc2351c9f9feac 1024w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/Cherry-Blossom-4.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1200&q=80&w=1200&s=2c031563534a8fe8d8887bc047533ac1 1200w, https://macon.imgix.net/images/Cherry-Blossom-4.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1440&q=80&w=1440&s=9cf504e9778c4b6cdcd8f3335ead4feb 1440w)
WHAT DOES THIS ALL MEAN FOR THIS YEAR'S INTERNATIONAL CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL?
For the 2024 bloom season, The International Cherry Blossom Festival shares "as with all things Mother Nature, she is difficult to predict. Mr. Fickling has provided a guide for when to expect the blooms:
- If we have a moderate winter followed by a moderate spring, then they will peak around the 23rd – this is the most common weather pattern for Macon
- If winter is cold followed by a cold spring, we can expect a late bloom
- If the winter is cold, followed by a warm spring, then we expect an early bloom
- If winter is mild followed by a cold spring then we can expect a late bloom
- If the winter is mild followed by a mild spring, then we can expect an irregular/late bloom as we saw this past year."