Stumpy, the little cherry tree that could, no longer can

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Stumpy, the little cherry tree that could, no longer can

The celebrity tree of Washington’s Tidal Basin was removed Friday as part of a planned reconstruction project.

By Joe Heim
May 24, 2024 at 6:53 p.m. EDT

Stumpy, the beautifully bedraggled cherry tree that captured the hearts of visitors to Washington’s Tidal Basin with its plucky resilience and apparent obliviousness to its fate, is no more.

The National Park Service announced in an email that the hollow tree was removed at about 11 a.m. Friday. It was one of 158 cherry trees designated to be taken down as part of a new sea wall construction project on the south side of the Tidal Basin and along the Potomac River.

No cause of death was provided, but a chain saw or brush grubber seem likely culprits. Stumpy was 25 (or in that neighborhood), according to Park Service officials.

Though many campaigned for Stumpy to be preserved, perhaps by being transplanted, it should be noted that the tree was diseased and Park officials had determined it would not survive being moved.



People stop to visit “Stumpy” along the Tidal Basin. (Matt McClain/The Washington Post)

During peak Stumpy mania, thousands of people who learned that the forlorn tree was not long for the Tidal Basin stopped by to hug or take a selfie with it. For many, the experience was profound.

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The image and spirit of Stumpy will live on with the Stumpy Mascot created for the Credit Union Cherry Blossom races. (Kevin Ambrose for The Washington Post)

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“Stumpy” on March 20. (Matt McClain/The Washington Post)

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By Joe Heim
Joe Heim joined The Washington Post in 1999. He is a staff writer for the Metro section. Twitter