
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
Find the Native Culinary Customs: Local Flavors - 2
How did Ariana Grande get her Glinda voice? I’m the man behind the magic. - 3
Genome study reveals milestone in history of cat domestication - 4
‘Integral part of our nation’: Herzog visits Franciscan Sisters in Jerusalem ahead of Christmas - 5
Amazon sued over 'punitive' handling of employee absences
Climate engineering would alter the oceans, reshaping marine life – our new study examines each method’s risks
Exploring the Gig Economy: Examples from Consultants
Moderna to complete US mRNA manufacturing network with $140 million investment
These 3 Nail-Free Finds Completely Transformed My Drab Bathroom
Israel says it killed armed Hamas 'terrorists' in Gaza
You finally got a doctor's appointment. Here's how to get the most out of it
Don’t let food poisoning crash your Thanksgiving dinner
Astronomers discover never-before-seen celestial object: "Cloud 9"
6 Travel Services for Colorful Get-aways: Pick Your Fantasy Escape













