Stumpy (tree)
| 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 2024 (planned) |
| Custodian | National Parks Service |
Stumpy was a Yoshino Cherry Tree situated along the D.C. tidal basin.[1] The tree became popular in the 21st century due to its battered appearance which was caused by repeated flooding of the basin.[2]
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]
History[edit]
20th Century: Planting and Climate Change[edit]
Stumpy 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.[4][5]
The National Parks Service estimates that Stumpy was planted in 1999; however, because it's trunk is hollowed and has no tree rings, it's difficult to know exactly how old the tree is.[6]
The fate of Stumpy was largely sealed due to the combination of climate change and the sinking of the Tidal Basin's sea wall.[7][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.[7] In addition to being waterlogged, the tree is also victim to sun-scalding, overgrowth of fungi, and compacted soil.[6]
21st Century: Rise to Fame and Removal[edit]
During the COVID-19 pandemic, a Reddit user posted a photo of the tree in r/washingtondc and compared Stumpy's appearance to their love life.[2][1] Posts often focus on the ability of the tree to bloom despite its condition and harsh environment.[6] Social media posts and accompanying traditional media increased the tree's notoriety.[7] After the tree's rise to fame, individuals had left flowers, art, gifts, and bottles of liquids at the base of the tree.[6]
The tree had been described by National Parks Service workers as a 'folk hero', being the most asked-about tree along the Tidal Basin.[6][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.[6]
In early 2024, it was announced by the National Parks Service that Stumpy would be one of 153 cherry trees removed as part of a $113 million project to repair the National Mall's sea wall.[2] By this time, Stumpy had become too brittle and hollowed out to be successfully transplanted to a different location.[7][3] Instead, in April 2024, the National Parks Service and National Arboretum took clippings of Stumpy to propagate new cherry trees that are genetically the same as Stumpy.[2][7] These propagations have been referred to as "baby Stumpies" and "Stumpy 2.0" by media outlets.[7]
Stumpy in Popular Culture[edit]
- DC-based photographer and Washington Post freelance writer Kevin Ambrose released a Stumpy-themed calendar in 2024.[6]
- Stumpy was used as the mascot of the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 2024 10-Mile and 5K runs.[8]
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.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ 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.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Constable, Pamela (2007-04-18). "Nurturing a Legacy of Fleeting Blossoms and Enduring Bonds". Washington Post.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "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.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Meet Stumpy | Credit Union Cherry Blossom". Retrieved 2024-05-06.