"Washington D.C. to Remove Over 150 Iconic Cherry Trees for Tidal Basin Repair Project"
The National Park Service plans to remove around 140 cherry trees in Washington, D.C. to make way for the construction of new sea walls to protect the area around the Jefferson Memorial. The existing sea walls, built in the late 1800s, have sunk as much as five feet and are no longer effective against tidal waves and storm surges. Despite efforts to minimize tree loss, the construction will begin after the conclusion of the National Cherry Blossom Festival.