Dogwood blossoms, Yosemite Valley, from April 21st, 2007
Last year the dogwoods in Yosemite Valley bloomed two or three weeks sooner than normal. This year they seem to be on a more typical timetable, but may still arrive a bit early.
Claudia and I were in Yosemite Valley on Tuesday afternoon, and saw the first signs of the dogwoods blooming. When dogwood blossoms first appear they’re small and green. Over the course of about a week or so they gradually become larger and brighter until they turn completely white. (Except for the centers, which become yellow-green. Those centers are the real flowers; the white “petals” are actually bracts.) On Tuesday there were lots of green blossoms, and only a few white ones. We didn’t see a single tree with all-white blossoms, only a few that were partially white. But that should change pretty quickly. There should be a few trees with all-white blossoms by this weekend, and I’d guess that the majority will be in full bloom by the end of next week.
Dogwoods bloom for a long time. An individual tree might bloom for three weeks or more, and since different trees start blooming at different times the overall event can last for a month. But toward the end of their bloom the blossoms look rather ragged, and the trees leaf out, hiding the flowers somewhat. So dogwoods are most photogenic when the blossoms first turn fully white, but before the leaves get too big. If I’m forced to guess at this point, I’d say that most of the Yosemite Valley trees will reach that point around the weekend of the 23rd and 24th. But that’s just a guess!
— Michael Frye
Related Posts: Redbuds and Poppies; A Good Year for Dogwoods
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Michael Frye is a professional photographer specializing in landscapes and nature. He is the author or principal photographer of The Photographer’s Guide to Yosemite, Yosemite Meditations, Yosemite Meditations for Women, Yosemite Meditations for Adventurers, and Digital Landscape Photography: In the Footsteps of Ansel Adams and the Great Masters. He has also written three eBooks: Light & Land: Landscapes in the Digital Darkroom, Exposure for Outdoor Photography, and Landscapes in Lightroom: The Essential Step-by-Step Guide. Michael has written numerous magazine articles on the art and technique of photography, and his images have been published in over thirty countries around the world. Michael has lived either in or near Yosemite National Park since 1983, currently residing just outside the park in Mariposa, California.
Well we will definitely have dogwoods blooming for the workshop, but they’re progressing quickly, and some might be past peak by then. We’ll see!
Ahhhh… Dogwoods are beautiful in the spring and fall. Love ’em!
I live at 3,400′ in the CA foothills just north of Interstate 80. The dogwoods at our elevation have been white for about a week now.
I’m looking forward to some shots, Michael!
~Peter
That really surprises me Peter. Although you live 600 feet below Yosemite Valley, you’re also further north, so those two things should cancel each other out. Give that, it’s strange that the dogwoods there would be blooming two weeks earlier than Yosemite Valley.
Thanks Michael. Any idea when Glacier Pt Rd might open this year? I’d like to make a trip to see the Dogwoods and the big waterfalls this year. I’m fearful it won’t open soon enough.
John, officially there is no estimated opening date for the Glacier Point Road:
https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/tioga.htm
Unofficially I have no idea. 🙂 Maybe early to mid May this year. But there are no dogwoods along the Glacier Point Road, and the big waterfalls are in Yosemite Valley, so I’m not sure why that’s a concern… ?
Only because I want to see the falls from Sentinel Dome and Washburn Pt. as well as the valley floor. And I’ve been wanting to see Dogwoods for a while too. Just trying to squeeze a little more into a trip from SoCal. 🙂
Okay, I get it. 🙂
Dear Michael,
Thanks so much for sharing the dogwood blooming information. Due to the above average snow fall in the winter and most recent rain, would you expect a great year for dogwood based upon what you have seen so far?
Best,
George
You’re welcome George. I wouldn’t say the snowfall has been above average. The latest snow survey (April 1st) showed a snowpack of about 90% of average in the park. But the amount of precipitation during the previous winter seems to have little affect on the quality of the dogwood bloom. Last spring was one of the best years for dogwoods in Yosemite Valley, and the previous winter was one of the driest on record. Which means I have no idea how good the dogwood bloom will be this year.
How about Tech. info. on the Dogwood shot for us novice shooters
1/90th at f/22, ISO 100
Michael,
Fantastic photo!
Cheers,
Alyn
Thank you Alyn!
Hi Michael,
Thanks for the update on the dogwoods. Decided at the last minute to head up to Yosemite on Wednesday for a few days. You just confirmed my decision. Also hoping to head over to the Redwoods in May. Maybe I’ll run into you somewhere.
Cheers,
Gail
You’re welcome Gail! I hope you find some nice dogwoods later this week, and maybe I’ll run into you in the redwoods.
Sounds like we might have them for the workshop! Hurray!!!
Bob
Hi Michael, any update on this year’s blossom? Thank you!
I haven’t been to Yosemite Valley in weeks during the day, so I can’t tell you anything about the dogwoods this year. They typically bloom around the end of April and beginning of May.
Thank you!