A disheveled cherry tree in Washington D.C. nicknamed "Stumpy" has become a symbol of resilience.

 

A disheveled cherry tree in Washington D.C. nicknamed "Stumpy" has become a symbol of resilience.  An image of the tree went viral as users posted supportive comments that noted the tree's ability to bloom despite facing apparent adversity. A Reddit user posted an image of Stumpy on the Washington D.C. subreddit weeks before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Supportive commenters noted that the ailing tree continued to bloom. "You know what that old tree is doing? It's best" remarked one user.  The tree's unusual appearance is likely caused by excess water from the Washington D.C. Tidal Basin, which regularly overflows its protective seawall, according to Mike Litterst, the chief of communications for the National Park Service. Despite the flooding, Litterst noted that the tree's latest blossoms indicate that it is "not just surviving" but "thriving."