It’s the first sign of spring in the Burgh — bursts of stunning pink blooms decorate the riverside and pleasant little pockets all over the city!
But we aren’t D.C., and these aren’t cherry blossoms (most of them, anyway). The rosy beauties are Eastern redbuds, one of the first native tree species to bloom each April and a major nectar and pollen source for pollinators like butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds.
We have the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy to thank for these pink canopies. The group started the Pittsburgh Redbud Project in 2016 to improve conditions for wildlife along our three rivers, and they’ve since planted thousands of native trees and shrubs.
While cherry blossoms typically bloom for just a week, rebuds stay vibrant for two to three. Here’s where to get the best views:
Start at the Mister Rogers statue along North Shore Drive and mosey on down the Three Rivers Heritage Trail to spot clusters of blooming redbuds along the Allegheny River — all the way past the 16th Street Bridge.
🌸 Downtown
Walk or bike across the 6th Street Bridge and you’ll be welcomed by a pop of pink near Ft. Duquesne Boulevard. Then swing over to the entrance to Point State Park near Commonwealth Place, where there’s another pretty patch on the edge of our city center.
From Downtown, you might be able to spot a pop of pastel pink across the Monongahela River on the South Side. Keep the spring in your step, and wander over the Smithfield Street Bridge for a closer look near Station Square.
If you want to see actual Japanese cherry blossoms, head to North Park. The Pittsburgh Sakura Project maintains hundreds of ornamental cherry trees, which have delicate pink-and-white flowers as opposed to the redbud’s purply-pink blooms. Check their forecast to plan for peak bloom!
