Stumpy the tree quietly cut down as DC's Tidal Basin seawall renovation work underway

WASHINGTON (7News) — The day has come. Friday morning, D.C.'s beloved and resilient cherry tree was cut down along with numerous other trees in the Tidal Basin, 7News has learned.

Stumpy the Tree, seen Thursday surrounded by a fence, was removed by National Park Service crews beginning a $113 million, three-year-long project to protect the region from rising sea levels, which have hollowed out the tree's core.

Nonetheless, the tree still bloomed each year, and its unique look stood out for millions of annual National Cherry Blossom Festival visitors.

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Many in recent months have trekked down to the tree's home at the south bank to leave flowers, take pictures, perform music, and even leave a bottle of whisky to the symbol of the region's cherry blossom season.

NPS said the sea walls around the Basin and along the Potomac River to West Potomac Park are decades old and have sunk at around five feet in some areas. Roughly 300 trees were slated for removal, and 400 trees will replace them once work is completed.

Fortunately, NPS said it plans to take cuttings from the famous tree and create genetic matches that can be replanted.