
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
Hitting the brakes: Hubble Space Telescope watches doomed comet reverse its spin - 2
How grandchildren are stepping up to fill the caregiver gap - 3
Top Pastry: What's Your Sweet Treat of Decision? - 4
They died 'doing what they loved': The stories of workers in their 80s who died on the job - 5
Pope Leo XIV calls for urgent climate action and says God’s creation is 'crying out'
Israel scales back use of top missile interceptors as Iran barrages persist
Choosing the Ideal Bed for Quality Rest and Solace
The Iran war’s energy security legacy
Amid Iran war, 53 of Israel's future scientists showcase projects in Jerusalem contest
2026 Golden Globes: How to watch, start time, TV channel, full nominee list and more
Polls open in tense Uganda election amid widespread delays
I’m a neuroscientist who taught rats to drive − their joy suggests how anticipating fun can enrich human life
Tehran defends ship seizure as a legal action, but tensions continue in the Gulf
Little Italy Mercato brings fresh food and community to downtown San Diego













