Let me introduce you to today’s central character: Stumpy, the Forlorn Cherry Tree. It’s located with his much grander and better-known brethren at Washington’s Tidal Basin. And since this is the time of year for the National Cherry Tree Festival, I thought it’d be fun to take a look at some of the lesser-known players.
(NOTE: The above seasonal photos are by Kevin Ambrose, who has been taking pictures of Stumpy since 2017.)
Stumpy is now a hollow cherry tree found on the southeast bank of the Tidal Basin. Because of his less than ideal location, throughout the year Stumpy’s roots are subjected to flooding from the brackish tide waters of the Potomac River. This excess moisture deprives Stumpy of the oxygen it needs to survive along damaging its fine root hairs required to transfer nutrients to the tree.
To add insult to injury, in 1999 the tree was struck by lightning causing a major loss of its trunk. It now only has a rather narrow strip of bark left to transport the tree’s required nutrients.
And yet the little tree survives.
I recently acquired the Artificial Intelligence (AI) tool, ChatGPT and thought it’d be fun to see what it would produce by asking it some questions about Stumpy. So, I’m going to share the results with you.
[EDITOR’S NOTE: Anyone can have access to the Artificial Intelligence service of ChatGPT – and it is FREE. You just have to sign up for it by creating an account at:
https://chat.openai.com/auth/login
I was blown away by what it almost instantaneously produced!
I’ll note that I did ask ChatGPT to expand on a couple of points, and I’ll just add those in italicized brackets.]
Here’s my initial experience dealing with Artificial Intelligence:
[1]
ME:
Tell me about the forlorn cherry tree in Washington, DC that refuses to die.
AI:
The forlorn cherry tree in Washington, DC that refuses to die is a symbol of hope and resilience. The tree [is a Yoshino cherry tree that] was planted in 1912 as part of a gift [of over 3,000 Yoshino cherry trees from the Mayor of Tokyo, Yukio Ozaki] to the United States. The tree was located on the grounds of the Tidal Basin in Washington, DC, and became famous for its beautiful pink blossoms that attract thousands of visitors each year during the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival.
Over the years, the tree has endured a number of challenges, including damage from weather, disease, and even vandalism. In 1999, the tree was struck by lightning, causing a significant portion of it to split and fall off. Despite these setbacks, the tree has continued to survive and even thrive.
The tree’s tenacity has made it a beloved symbol of hope and resilience, particularly in the wake of difficult times. In recent years, the tree has become a popular attraction for visitors seeking inspiration and solace.
In 2020, the tree faced a new challenge when it was damaged by a storm just before the National Cherry Blossom Festival. However, thanks to the efforts of a team of arborists and other experts, the tree was able to recover and continue to bloom.
In conclusion, Stumpy, the Forlorn cherry tree in Washington, DC, is a unique and beloved part of the city’s cherry blossom festival. Its struggles have made it a powerful symbol and reminder of the resilience of nature and the hope of the human spirit. Thank you for listening, and I hope you enjoyed learning about this fascinating piece of history.
[2]
ME:
What can you tell me about Stumpy – the cherry tree in Washington, DC that has won the hearts of many?
AI
Stumpy, also known as the “Forlorn Cherry Tree,” is a Yoshino cherry tree located near the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C. that has become somewhat of a local legend and a beloved symbol of resilience.
The tree is believed to be a descendant of the original [3,000 Yoshino] cherry trees that were gifted to the United States [by the Mayor of Tokyo] in 1912, and which have since become a major tourist attraction in the nation’s capital. However, unlike its famous counterparts, Stumpy is small, stunted, and gnarled, with a twisted trunk and only a few branches.
Despite its less-than-ideal appearance, Stumpy has captured the hearts of many Washingtonians, who admire its tenacity and determination to survive despite the odds. The tree has been the subject of numerous news stories, social media posts, and even a children’s book [“Stumpy, the Cherry Tree”], and has become a popular destination for visitors to the National Cherry Blossom Festival held in Washington, DC, want to see a glimpse of its unique beauty.
Despite its numerous challenges from storms, floods, disease and pests, Stumpy continues to stand as a testament to the power of nature. It provides a unique and fascinating part of the city’s National Cherry Blossom Festival. Its gnarled appearance has made it a beloved part of the festival and its struggles have made it a symbol of resilience and hope.
Let’s enjoy some of Stumpy’s better recognized cherry tree brethren from different focal points around the Tidal Basin:
WASHINGTON MONUMENT
GENERAL PHOTOS OF STUMPY BY THE PUBLIC
MISCELLANEOUS
(NOTE: the black and white photo is from 1945)
JEFFERSON MEMORIAL
EDITOR’S NOTE: If you’re so inclined, you can donate to help protect Stumpy – or adopt another one of Washington’s famous cherry trees at the below site:
https://donorbox.org/save-stumpy
