Photos: See D.C.'s cherry blossoms in peak bloom, bid farewell to 'Stumpy'
A person on a paddle board makes their way across the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C. Tyrone Turner/WAMU hide caption
A person on a paddle board makes their way across the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C.
Tyrone Turner/WAMU
In Washington, D.C., throngs of people gather around the Tidal Basin to enjoy the peak bloom of the cherry blossom trees.
Later this spring, 158 of the trees will be cut down as part of a project to rebuild and raise the seawalls around the basin.
Among the trees to be removed is one very famous tree, known as "Stumpy."
It's a scraggly tree with a trunk that is mostly rotted out. At high tide, the base of the tree is flooded. Each spring, Stumpy's small branches burst into flower.
Our photographers captured the peak bloom, including final farewells to Stumpy.
Take a look:
A beloved cherry blossom tree named "Stumpy" blooms for the last time as the city's trees reach their peak bloom early at the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C., on March 18. Carol Guzy for NPR hide caption
A beloved cherry blossom tree named "Stumpy" blooms for the last time as the city's trees reach their peak bloom early at the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C., on March 18.
Carol Guzy for NPR
Erica Greig forms a heart with her fingers as she poses for a picture next to "Stumpy," the most famous cherry tree along the Tidal Basin. Tyrone Turner/WAMU hide caption
Erica Greig forms a heart with her fingers as she poses for a picture next to "Stumpy," the most famous cherry tree along the Tidal Basin.
Tyrone Turner/WAMU
"Stumpy" is seen on the edge of the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday. Stumpy, along with 150 other trees around the basin, will be cut down later this spring as part of a project to rebuild and raise the seawalls around the basin. Zayrha Rodriguez/NPR hide caption
"Stumpy" is seen on the edge of the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday. Stumpy, along with 150 other trees around the basin, will be cut down later this spring as part of a project to rebuild and raise the seawalls around the basin.
Zayrha Rodriguez/NPR
You can see the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in the distance as the cherry blossoms reached peak bloom. Carol Guzy for NPR hide caption
You can see the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in the distance as the cherry blossoms reached peak bloom.
Carol Guzy for NPR
The colors of the quinceñera dress for Elizabeth Romero, of northern Virginia, match the cherry trees' blooms as she gets her photos taken with her court at the Tidal Basin. Tyrone Turner/WAMU hide caption
Visitors say their farewells as they pass by "Stumpy," the cherished tree along the Tidal Basin that's become a symbol of resilience. Carol Guzy for NPR hide caption
Visitors say their farewells as they pass by "Stumpy," the cherished tree along the Tidal Basin that's become a symbol of resilience.
Carol Guzy for NPR
An artist memorializes "Stumpy" in watercolors. Carol Guzy for NPR hide caption
Cherry blossoms hover above the water in the Tidal Basin. Tyrone Turner/WAMU hide caption
People visit the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C., during the cherry blossoms' peak bloom on Wednesday. Zayrha Rodriguez/NPR hide caption
Someone uses a cell phone to compose a photo of "Stumpy." Tyrone Turner/WAMU hide caption
Jiayi Zheng leaves a flower for the beloved cherry blossom tree named "Stumpy." Visitors said goodbye ahead of plans to cut it down later this spring. Carol Guzy for NPR hide caption
Cherry blossoms carpet the ground around the Tidal Basin. Carol Guzy for NPR hide caption
A woman enjoys the cherry blossoms during their peak bloom. "Stumpy" can be seen reflected in her sunglasses. Carol Guzy for NPR hide caption
Residents and visitors take photos of "Stumpy" on Wednesday. "Stumpy," along with 150 other trees, will be cut down later this spring as part of a project to rebuild and raise the seawalls around Washington, D.C.'s Tidal Basin. Zayrha Rodriguez/NPR hide caption
People photograph cherry blossoms as they reach their peak bloom around the Tidal Basin. Carol Guzy for NPR hide caption
A person poses with the cherry blossoms in their graduation outfit. Tyrone Turner/WAMU hide caption
A girl touches the cherry blossoms. Carol Guzy for NPR hide caption
People take turns getting their photo taken with "Stumpy," the most famous cherry tree around the capital's Tidal Basin. Tyrone Turner/WAMU hide caption