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Washington to remove about 300 cherry trees, including 'Stumpy'

natureAug 30, 20264011,912

The National Park Service will remove about 300 trees, including roughly 140 cherry trees and the weathered, well-known cherry tree "Stumpy," to allow a multiyear restoration of the crumbling Tidal Basin seawall near the Jefferson Memorial. Crews are expected to begin removals in early summer so contractors can repair the seawall that the Park Service says must be fixed to stop Potomac surges that inundate tree roots; the project is estimated at $133 million and to take at least three years, National Park Service spokesman Mike Litterst told The Associated Press. Litterst said the Potomac has risen about 11 inches over the last century and that surge damage already removed about 100 yards of cherry trees near the seawall, so the work is intended to protect surviving trees from repeated root inundation. The slated removals will be repurposed as mulch and root-protection material for remaining trees, and the National Arboretum will use Stumpy's genetic material to create clones; crews expect to plant 277 replacement cherry trees after the project. Stumpy gained wide attention and a dedicated following during 2020, and visitors have left tributes as the tree approaches its last spring. The Park Service framed the removals as necessary to preserve the long-term health of the Tidal Basin cherry grove and improve visitor experience once seawall repairs are complete.

Ricky Davila
@therickydavila.bsky.social

As if I couldn’t hate the orange felon more than I already do, over 60 trees which include historic Cherry Blossom trees were quietly cut down recently in Washington DC without court approval. I’ll never forgive anyone who supports this monstrous hateful destructive criminal.

11470Yesterday
Deborah Lynn
@mrsdeborahlynn.bsky.social

people.com/dozens-trees... Over 60 trees were removed at East Potomac Golf Links before official approval for renovations granted. Proposed renovations include expanding the golf course by 50 acres, impacting historic cherry trees and popular park amenities. #Blues

52Yesterday
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