Q: There is a brocha which is recited once a year upon seeing a newly flowering tree.  I have a number of questions regarding Birchas Hailonos: 

(i) When is the optimal time to say this brocha?  Does the brocha have to be said during the month of Nissan? 

(ii) What rules apply concerning the location of the person when saying the brocha?  How far away can you be from the tree when saying the brocha?  Can you be inside a house or other structure?  Can you be in a car?  Is it necessary to be at a site where there is more than one tree? 

(iii) What limitations are there regarding the type of tree over which this brocha may be recited?  Does the tree need to be fruit bearing?  How old should the tree be?  Can the tree be orlah (less than three years old)?  Can the brocha be said over blueberries, which are botanically classified as a shrub, or would it be preferable to recite the brocha over botanical trees such as a peach or apple tree?  Can the brocha be said over a crabapple tree, which has fruit that is not palatable without first cooking and sweetening it? Can the brocha be said over a cherry blossom tree?

A: (i) Birchas Hailanos is recited once a year during the spring when you see a tree that has started to flower.¹Optimally, the brocha should be said at the earliest opportunity upon seeing a budding tree for the first time.² However, if you did not recite the brocha at that time you could say the brocha on another occasion.³ Some opinions state that one may recite this brocha only during the month of Nissan.⁴For this reason, it is customary not to say the brocha before the beginning of Nissan.⁵ However, the halachah follows the opinion that you can also say this brocha during other months.⁶ Therefore, if you did not recite the brocha during the month of Nissan you still have the opportunity to do so.  This is especially applicable in those countries where spring does not occur during Nissan.⁷The brocha may be said at night if you are able to see the flowers well.⁸ Although there are sources that rule out reciting the brocha on Shabbos,⁹ the consensus of the poskim is that there are no halachic concerns with regard to reciting this brocha on Shabbos.¹⁰ A number of gedolim have, in fact, often recited the brocha on Shabbos.¹¹

(ii)  You should be close enough to the tree to see the flowers clearly.¹²If necessary, you may be inside a house or building when saying the brocha.