Stumpy the Cherry Tree, often just called Stumpy, was a Yoshino cherry tree situated along the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C.[1] The tree became popular in the 21st century due to its battered appearance which was caused by repeated flooding of the basin.[2]
| Stumpy | |
|---|---|
 Stumpy the cherry tree at low tide | |
| Species | Yoshino Cherry Tree (Prunus x yedoensis) |
| Location | Washington, DC |
| Date seeded | 1999 (est.) |
| Date felled | May 24, 2024 |
| Custodian | National Park Service |
The tree became waterlogged in the 20th century due to repeated tidal flooding caused by land subsidence and rising sea levels.[3] The tree only had three to four flowering branches and a hollowed-out trunk by the time it became popular.[3] Stumpy was removed on May 24, 2024 as part of a project to repair the basin's sea wall.[4]
History
edit20th century: Planting and climate change
editStumpy is descended from the 3,020 trees gifted to the United States by Tokyo Mayor Yukio Ozaki in 1912 as a symbol of Japanese-American friendship.[5][6]
The National Park Service estimates that Stumpy was planted in 1999; however, because its trunk is hollowed and has no tree rings, it's difficult to know exactly how old the tree is.[7]
Climate change and the sinking of the Tidal Basin's sea wall contributed to the tree's demise.[8][3] Overall, land has sunk by five feet while water levels had risen by one foot.[3] This combination had led to the land around the basin flooding twice a day at high tide.[8] In addition to being waterlogged, the tree is also victim to sun-scalding, overgrowth of fungi, and compacted soil.[7]
21st century: Rise to fame and removal
editDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, a Reddit user posted a photo of the tree in the "r/washingtondc" subreddit and compared Stumpy's appearance to their love life.[2][1] Social media posts and accompanying traditional media increased the tree's notoriety.[8] Posts often focused on the ability of the tree to bloom despite its condition and harsh environment.[7] Axios, a news media outlet, also compared the tree to Tiny Timber, an undersized Christmas tree in D.C.'s Columbia Heights Civic Plaza in 2022.[9] After the tree's rise to fame, individuals had left flowers, art, gifts, and bottles of liquids at the base of the tree.[7]
The tree had been described by National Park Service workers as a 'folk hero', being the most asked-about tree along the Tidal Basin.[7][2] Additionally, the tree had become anthropomorphized to the point that the public more often uses masculine pronouns than "it" when referring to the tree.[7]
In early 2024, it was announced by the National Park Service that Stumpy would be one of 153 cherry trees removed as part of a $113 million project to repair the Tidal Basin's sea wall.[2] By this time, Stumpy had become too brittle and hollowed out to be successfully transplanted to a different location.[8][3] Instead, in April 2024, the National Park Service and National Arboretum took clippings of Stumpy to propagate new cherry trees that are genetically the same as Stumpy.[2][8] These propagations have been referred to as "baby Stumpies" and "Stumpy 2.0" by media outlets.[8] The tree was removed on Friday, May 24, 2024.[4][10] In mid-August 2024, the National Arboretum announced that the clippings of Stumpy had been successfully cloned, with five viable clones.[11]
In popular culture
edit- DC-based photographer and freelance Washington Post writer Kevin Ambrose released a Stumpy-themed calendar in 2024.[7]
- Beginning in 2024, Stumpy was named the official mascot of the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10-Mile and 5K runs.[12]
References
edit- ^ a b Allen, Gabby (2024-03-14). "So long, Stumpy: A brief history of the beloved cherry tree". DC News Now | Washington, DC. Retrieved 2024-05-06.
- ^ a b c d e Hung, Emily (2024-03-23). "'Stumpy,' a beloved Japanese cherry tree, makes its last bloom in Washington". NBC News. Retrieved 2024-05-06.
- ^ a b c d e Fenston, Jacob (2024-03-19). "So long, Stumpy. More than 150 of D.C.'s cherry trees have to go as water rises". NPR.
- ^ a b More, Maggie (2024-05-24). "Long live Stumpy: Iconic cherry tree removed from DC's Tidal Basin". NBC4 Washington. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
- ^ Constable, Pamela (2007-04-18). "Nurturing a Legacy of Fleeting Blossoms and Enduring Bonds". Washington Post.
- ^ "Types of Trees - Cherry Blossom Festival (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2024-05-06.
- ^ a b c d e f g Ruf, Jessica (2024-03-20). "The Story Behind "Stumpy"—DC's Most Beloved Tree". Retrieved 2024-05-06.
- ^ a b c d e f More, Maggie (2024-03-23). "Why Stumpy, the 'Little Cherry Tree That Could,' can't be transplanted — and how he'll live on anyway". NBC4 Washington. Retrieved 2024-05-06.
- ^ Montgomery, Mimi (March 15, 2024). "RIP Stumpy: D.C.'s favorite short king will be cut down this year". Axios D.C.
- ^ Petworth, Prince of (2024-05-22). ""Stumpy is dead" (soon) - PoPville". PoPville - Welcome to the beautiful life. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
- ^ Swenson, Kyle (14 August 2024). "Stumpy 2.0: Clones of beloved Tidal Basin cherry tree are thriving". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 14 August 2024. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
- ^ "Meet Stumpy | Credit Union Cherry Blossom". Retrieved 2024-05-06.