
Stumpy lives again.
Clones of the scraggly, beloved cherry blossom tree felled two years ago in the nation’s capital have flowered for the first time this spring, reaching what federal officials described Wednesday as a “pinnacle achievement.”
The U.S. National Arboretum said in a statement that the plant material used to propagate the Yoshino cherry clones was collected in the summer of 2024. It was one of thousands that line the banks of the Tidal Basin reservoir between the Thomas Jefferson and Franklin Delano Roosevelt memorials.
The new trees are healthy and have put on substantial growth since forming their own root systems, according to the statement. They will remain at a non-public research area until the National Park Service can replant them, perhaps as soon as next spring, the arboretum said.
“It is our hope that the story and spirit of these trees will inspire future generations of cherry tree enthusiasts around the world — deepening cultural connections for years to come,” Richard Olsen, the arboretum’s director, said in a statement included in the release.
Stumpy sat on the banks of the Tidal Basin, near the National Mall. The tree rose to fame in 2020, with a viral Reddit post saying the tree was as dead as the user’s love life — but he still loved it.
With a hollow interior trunk, Stumpy was among 158 trees felled in 2024 as part of a project aimed at shoring up a sea wall near the National Mall.
Speaking to NBC News on the eve of Stumpy’s passing, a tourist compared the tree to the ugly duckling.
“It’s by itself, and it just stands out,” she said.
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
LATEST POSTS
- 1
Forget 'Outer Banks.' These Gen Z-ers just want to watch 'M*A*S*H*' and 'Gilmore Girls.' - 2
Find the Standards of Viable Nurturing: Supporting Blissful and Strong Kids - 3
With more Moon missions on the horizon, avoiding crowding and collisions will be a growing challenge - 4
Hamas urges Hezbollah to kidnap Israeli soldiers in wake of Knesset passing death penalty bill - 5
Figure out How to Take part in Open Conversations Around 5G Pinnacles
Free Fuel Giveaway Sparks Traffic Mayhem Before Police Shut It Down
Florence's Uffizi Gallery moves treasures to safety after cyberattack
Fiber is something most people could use more of. But experts advise caution with 'fibermaxxing'
'I carried my wife's body for an hour and a half' - BBC hears stories of protesters killed in Iran
At least 55 injured in Russia after train crashes, overturns
Step by step instructions to Involve Compact disc Rates for Magnanimous Giving
New COVID-19 variant 'Cicada' is spreading. What to know about BA.3.2.
Climate engineering would alter the oceans, reshaping marine life – our new study examines each method’s risks
Manual for Picking the Ideal Wine Matching













