Over 100 beloved cherry trees, including ‘Stumpy’, are to be removed in a major restoration project aimed at combating the effects of climate change and infrastructure deterioration around the Tidal Basin in Washington, DC. The initiative promises new plantings and cloning of the famous ‘Stumpy’ for future generations.
Over 100 iconic cherry trees in Washington, DC, including the much-loved ‘Stumpy’, are scheduled to be cut down due to a multi-year restoration project aimed at replacing the deteriorating seawall around the Tidal Basin. This $133 million initiative seeks to address the frequent flooding caused by Potomac River waters, which has been detrimental to the roots of the cherry trees and the overall visitor experience. As part of the project, 277 new cherry trees are planned to be planted to replace those removed.
The removal of these trees, some of which are seen as landmarks in their own right, has sparked notable public response, with tributes paid to ‘Stumpy’ and discussions about preservation measures on social media platforms. Despite the emotional resonance of this event, there is a silver lining as the National Arboretum intends to create clones from ‘Stumpy’s’ genetic material for future planting.
This initiative comes at a time when the National Cherry Blossom Festival is expected to attract 1.5 million visitors, signifying the commencement of the tourist season in the capital. Concurrently, the challenge posed by climate change on the cherry blossoms has been highlighted, with rising temperatures causing the peak bloom period to shift earlier each year.
The decision to undertake this project underscores the pressing need to balance preservation efforts with the modern challenges posed by climate change and infrastructure deterioration.
