The Korea Forest Service has announced the predicted blooming schedule for spring flowering trees this year. According to the announcement, the blooms will begin in mid-March in Jeju Island and are expected to spread nationwide by early April.
The Korea Forest Service released the “2025 Spring Flowering Tree Bloom Prediction Map,” detailing the blooming times for trees that herald the onset of spring in forests—such as spicebush, azaleas, and cherry trees—on the 24th.
This year, the flowering period is expected to be slightly delayed compared to last year. Last winter’s average temperature (from December to February) was similar to normal at 0.7°C, but this winter’s average temperature dropped to -1.8°C, 2.5°C lower than last year, causing a delay in blooming due to the cold weather.
The flowering schedule predicts that blooms will start from mid-March in Jeju Island, move through the southern regions, and expand nationwide by early April. The full bloom dates for each tree species are expected to be March 26 for spicebush, April 4 for azaleas, and April 6 for cherry trees.
Im Sang-seop, the head of the Korea Forest Service, stated, “Spring flowering tree bloom predictions are helpful not only for the public to prepare for seasonal changes but also serve as an important indicator for the scientific analysis of changes in the forest ecosystem. We will continue to provide more accurate information through ongoing research and precise observations and develop strategic measures to enable forests to respond to climate change.”
Meanwhile, the Korea Forest Service, based on mountain weather information from the National Institute of Forest Science and in cooperation with nine major national arboreta, including the National Arboretum, observes plant phenology (flowering, budding, leaf coloring, and leaf fall) and annually publishes bloom and foliage prediction maps.