Don't know about Flowering Cherries in your location, but it would seem a little early for them, based on when they bloom here in northern California. It is more likely what you are seeing is Flowering Plums. The second flowering street tree sounds very much like Purple Leafed Flowering Plums. These are also just finishing up blooming here in the San Francisco Bay Area. The Flowering Cherries tend to bloom 3 to 6 weeks after the plums around here, mostly in April...

First sounds like Prunus x blireiana. As far as learning the trees goes, there's a book available that tells what is here and where you can see examples.

Here is a link that might be useful: Trees of Seattle - Second Edition

Thanks. I think Prunus x blireiana may be the second tree I described based on this picture I found when searching on that phrase: http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/showimage/148772/

That one has double flowers, larger than 1/2" so it would be the first one, not the second.

The tree in the photo in the above link to Davesgarden is the second tree I tried to describe. The flowers in that pic look single to me - are they not?

The first tree I described, that I'm the most interested in, with the really fluffy flowers, I took a picture and posted on Flickr.

thanks for the help!

Fran

Here is a link that might be useful: Flickr pic of the fluffy pink flowering tree

Oh I hope that's a cherry tree! That's what I'm trying to grow!

Still Prunus x blireana. If the larger flowers with extra petals are what appeals, buy a double-flowered cultivar of P. mume instead - unlike this one it smells good, and does not have coppery purple leaves. A few local outlets have stocked 'Dawn' in recent years, that has large double pink flowers with the sweet fragrance of Japanese apricot. You do not, however, always see these as packed with flowers as the plum.

For more on Japanese apricots...

Here is a link that might be useful: Plant of the Month - March 2005

Thank you. The Japanese apricot looks very pretty.

I thought it was going to be a Redbud..........

Here is a link that might be useful: Cercis