Iconic Cherry Tree 'Stumpy' and Hundreds More to Be Removed for Seawall Repair

The National Park Service announces the removal of over 300 trees, including the beloved 'Stumpy', as part of a $113 million Tidal Basin and West Potomac Park seawall repair project.

Stumpy, a popular cherry tree at the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C., has gained fame for its resilience despite being hollow and facing daily flooding.
The National Park Service plans to remove more than 300 trees, including over 150 cherry trees, to rebuild the seawall, addressing issues caused by rising sea levels and climate change.
The seawall repair and tree removal project, funded by the Great American Outdoors Act, aims to protect the area for the next 100 years.
Clippings from Stumpy will be sent to the National Arboretum to create genetic matches, with hopes of planting Stumpy clones in the future.
The project will not affect the 2024 National Cherry Blossom Festival, with construction set to begin in May and tree removal likely in June.