"Stumpy's Farewell: The End of an Era for D.C.'s Cherry Blossom Trees"

Over 100 iconic cherry trees, including the famous Stumpy, will be cut down as part of a multiyear restoration project to replace the deteriorating seawall around Washington's Tidal Basin. The project, estimated to cost $133 million, aims to protect the cherry trees from regular flooding caused by rising sea levels. The National Cherry Blossom Festival, which marks the start of the tourist season, is expected to draw 1.5 million visitors this year. Climate change has also impacted the cherry trees, causing peak bloom to occur earlier in the calendar. Despite the loss of these iconic trees, efforts are being made to preserve their genetic material and create clones for future replanting.