AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL
Long Story Short, Stumpy’s Hanging in There
The stunted cherry tree is part of DC’s spring celebration
Seen: It balances—emitting an “I’ve been there way too many times before” vibe — on the edge of DC’s famous Tidal Basin. But Stumpy — part of the group of 3,200 Japanese Cherry Trees donated to the United States in 1912 — is hanging in there.
Heard: Beleaguered Stumpy, nicknamed — obviously — for its appearance, is the first of the famous trees most folks see as they trudge, in crowds of thousands, toward the Jefferson Memorial each spring. Stumpy’s sad situation has been ascribed to lightning strikes, tide fluctuations, and Potomac River flooding.
Noted: Stumpy’s condition caused grave concern among visitors in a Reddit thread that was dedicated to checking up on its well-being.
Quoted: National Park Service arborists say Stumpy’s condition is probably a result of “urban challenges.” One Redditor, commenting on Stumpy’s forlorn appearance, chose a more positive observation: “You know what that old tree is doing? It’s best.”
