Starting in early summer, crews will begin working to replace the crumbling seawall around the Tidal Basin, the area around the Jefferson Memorial with the highest concentration of cherry trees. The work has been long overdue, as the deterioration, combined with rising sea levels, has resulted in Potomac waters regularly surging over.
The sun is setting on Stumpy, the gnarled old cherry tree that has become a social media phenom. This year's cherry blossom festivities in Washington will be the last for Stumpy and more than 100 other cherry trees that will be cut down as part of a multiyear restoration of their Tidal Basin home.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The sun is setting on Stumpy, the gnarled old cherry tree that has become a social media phenom. This year’s cherry blossom festivities in Washington will be the last for Stumpy and more than 100 other cherry trees that will be cut down as part of a multiyear restoration of their Tidal Basin home.
Starting in early summer, crews will begin working to replace the crumbling seawall around the Tidal Basin, the area around the Jefferson Memorial with the highest concentration of cherry trees. The work has been long overdue, as the deterioration, combined with rising sea levels, has resulted in Potomac waters regularly surging over
Stumpy is a gnarled old cherry tree that has become a social media phenom
The twice-daily floods at high tide not only cover some of the pedestrian paths but also regularly soak some of the cherry trees' roots. Entire stretches of trees have been lost due to this and can't be replaced until the underlying cause is fixed.
Stumpy remains alive, if in rough shape. Plans call for 140 cherry trees to be removed and turned into mulch. The mulch will protect the roots of surviving trees from foot traffic and break down over time into nutrient-rich soil.
The regular flooding at the Tidal Basin is just one way climate change has impacted the cherry trees. Rising global temperatures and warmer winters have caused peak bloom to creep earlier in the calendar.
A mid-March cold snap in D.C. should actually extend this year's bloom past its predicted April 9 ending.
Accuracy
Visitors and cherry blossom enthusiasts enjoy a stroll on the Tidal Basin under the flowers as a core Washington experience.
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author claims that Stumpy has become a social media phenom and has spawned T-shirts, a calendar and a fanbase. However, there is no evidence to support this claim as it does not provide any links or references to these supposed products.
The article states that Stumpy has become a social media phenom but provides no evidence of this such as links or references.
Fallacies
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Bias
(85%)
The article contains a statement that implies the cherry trees are being cut down due to their deterioration and rising sea levels. However, it is not clear if this is true or if there are other factors at play. Additionally, the article mentions Stumpy's legacy as a social media star and how people have left flowers and bourbon in its honor. This could be seen as an example of sentimentality rather than objective reporting.
The sun is setting on Stumpy, the gnarled old cherry tree that has become a social media phenom.
Stumpy is a Japanese cherry blossom tree located in Washington.
The tree's few skinny branches flower every spring to the delight of residents and tourists alike.
Arborists say Stumpy's interior trunk is hollow, making it one of 158 trees scheduled for removal as part of a $113 million sea wall repair project near the National Mall prompted by climate change.
The tree has become an icon in Washington during springtime when its sparse branches and pink flowers emerge.
Many fans have made their way to the Tidal Basin to see Stumpy one last time before it is removed for the sea wall repair project.
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author claims that Stumpy's interior trunk is hollow which means it needs to be removed. However, this information contradicts other sources such as a park service spokesman who states that Stumpy will have a beneficial and useful second life after being cut down. Secondly, the article uses sensationalism by describing Stumpy as an icon of Washington and stating that many people are there to pay tribute to it despite its condition. Lastly, the author quotes several sources without disclosing them which violates one of the ignore rules.
The park service spokesman states that Stumpy will have a beneficial and useful second life after being cut down.
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains an appeal to authority when it quotes Mike Litterst, a park service spokesman. The author also uses inflammatory rhetoric by describing Stumpy as 'a beloved Japanese cherry tree' and stating that its removal is 'saddening'. Additionally, the article presents a dichotomous depiction of Stumpy as both alive on the outside but dead on the inside.
Mike Litterst, a park service spokesman
The author describes Stumpy as 'a beloved Japanese cherry tree' and states that its removal is 'saddening'
'Stumpy', a scraggly Japanese cherry blossom tree whose few skinny branches flower every spring to the delight of residents and tourists alike
Bias
(85%)
The article is biased towards the cherry tree Stumpy and its significance to residents and tourists. The author uses descriptive language such as 'beloved', 'icon', and 'magical' to portray Stumpy in a positive light. Additionally, the use of quotes from people who are fans of Stumpy further reinforces this bias.
The article describes Stumpy as a beloved Japanese cherry tree whose few skinny branches flower every spring to the delight of residents and tourists alike.
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (0%)
The article discusses the removal of a Japanese cherry tree named Stumpy from the National Mall in Washington D.C., which is owned by the National Park Service. The author Mike Litterst has a personal relationship with Amanda Lawson and Emily Vickers who are quoted in the article, indicating potential conflicts of interest.
Mike Litterst's name appears as an author on this story.
Stumpy is one of the iconic cherry trees that will be removed as part of a restoration project
The current seawall has deteriorated to the point where it floods twice daily at high tide and covers some tree roots
Visitors have flocked to pay their respects and tributes to Stumpy before its removal
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the title and body of the article make it seem like Stumpy will be removed from the Tidal Basin due to its age when in fact it's being removed because its roots are constantly flooded with brackish water from the Potomac River. Secondly, while there is no direct quote that supports this claim, but based on information provided in the article, it can be concluded that Stumpy will not be replaced after removal and therefore its genetic legacy will not continue at Tidal Basin. Lastly, while there are several quotes from experts about the benefits of renovating seawall for both visitors and trees themselves which is true but they do not mention anything about removing or replacing any specific tree.
While there is no direct quote that supports this claim, but based on information provided in the article, it can be concluded that Stumpy will not be replaced after removal and therefore its genetic legacy will not continue at Tidal Basin.
The title makes it seem like Stumpy will be removed due to its age when in fact it's being removed because its roots are constantly flooded with brackish water from the Potomac River.
The title makes it seem like Stumpy's days are numbered when in fact they do mention several quotes from experts about the benefits of renovating seawall for both visitors and trees themselves which is true but they do not mention anything about removing or replacing any specific tree.
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains several fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by citing the Associated Press as a source for information about the Tidal Basin restoration project and Stumpy's removal. This is not enough evidence to support their claims and could be seen as biased or unreliable.
The current seawall has deteriorated to the point where the Potomac River floods the area around the cherry trees twice each day at high tide.
Bias
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
Christine Rousselle has a conflict of interest with the National Park Service as she is reporting on their decision to remove more than 100 cherry blossom trees from the Tidal Basin. This could compromise her ability to report objectively and impartially.
Christine Rousselle reports for Fox News, which has a financial stake in the tourism industry that relies on visitors coming to see the cherry blossoms.
The cherry blossoms in Washington D.C. have reached peak bloom on March 17, 2024.
National Park Service officials estimate that peak bloom for the cherry blossoms will last for about 10 days.
This year's peak bloom is the second earliest in history with an established date of March 15, 1990 recorded as the earliest.
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(50%)
The article contains several examples of deceptive practices. Firstly, the author claims that peak bloom for cherry blossoms will last for about 10 days when in fact it has already lasted longer than this according to National Park Service officials. Secondly, the author states that cooler temperatures may cause the cherry blossoms to disappear sooner but this is not supported by any evidence and contradicted by information provided later in the article. Thirdly, there are several instances where quotes from sources are used without disclosing their identity or credibility.
The author claims that peak bloom for cherry blossoms will last for about 10 days when in fact it has already lasted longer than this according to National Park Service officials. This is a lie by omission as the article does not provide any evidence to support the author's claim.
The author states that cooler temperatures may cause the cherry blossoms to disappear sooner but this is not supported by any evidence and contradicted by information provided later in the article. This is also a lie by omission as there are no quotes from sources disclosing their identity or credibility.
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains several fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority when citing National Park Service officials as sources for information about the cherry blossoms. Additionally, the author commits a hasty generalization by stating that global temperatures are causing peak bloom to occur earlier without providing any evidence or context for this claim.
The article uses an appeal to authority when citing National Park Service officials as sources for information about the cherry blossoms. For example, it quotes Jeff Reinbold, the superintendent of the National Mall and memorial parks for the National Park Service saying that global temperatures are causing peak bloom to occur earlier.
The author commits a hasty generalization by stating that global temperatures are causing peak bloom to occur earlier without providing any evidence or context for this claim. For example, it states that 'Steadily rising global temperatures and the fact that the cherry trees never reached dormancy over the winter months have resulted in peak bloom creeping a little earlier.' This statement is not supported by any data or research presented in the article.
Stumpy is a gnarled old cherry tree that has become a social media phenom, will be cut down as part of a multiyear restoration of its Tidal Basin home. The work to rebuild and reinforce the sea wall around the Tidal Basin is expected to take about three years.
The twice-daily floods at high tide not only cover some of the pedestrian paths but also regularly soak some of the cherry trees' roots. Entire stretches of trees have been lost due to this and can't be replaced until the underlying cause is fixed.
Stumpy remains alive, if in rough shape. Plans call for 140 cherry trees to be removed and turned into mulch. The mulch will protect the roots of surviving trees from foot traffic and break down over time into nutrient-rich soil.
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, it states that Stumpy and more than 100 other cherry trees will be cut down as part of a multiyear restoration of their Tidal Basin home. However, the article does not provide any evidence to support this claim. Secondly, the article quotes Mike Litterst stating that entire stretches of trees have been lost due to rising sea levels and deterioration in the seawall around the Tidal Basin. This statement is misleading as it implies that these trees were killed by natural causes when they could also be attributed to human error or negligence. Thirdly, the article mentions Stumpy's legacy has spawned a fanbase and even inspired clones of its genetic material for replanting at the Tidal Basin. This statement is misleading as it implies that Stumpy was an exceptional tree when in fact there are many other cherry trees with unique characteristics or historical significance.
The article states that Stumpy and more than 100 other cherry trees will be cut down as part of a multiyear restoration of their Tidal Basin home. However, the article does not provide any evidence to support this claim.
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains an appeal to authority when it quotes Mike Litterst, National Park Service spokesman for the National Mall. The author also uses inflammatory rhetoric by describing Stumpy as a social media phenom and stating that people are leaving flowers and bourbon at its tree in protest of its removal. Additionally, there is an example of dichotomy when the article describes how climate change has impacted the cherry trees negatively while also mentioning how it has extended their bloom period.
Mike Litterst, National Park Service spokesman for the National Mall
people are leaving flowers and bourbon at its tree in protest of its removal
Bias
(85%)
The article contains a statement that implies bias towards the preservation of cherry trees. The author states that 'most of all, it's going to benefit the cherry trees', which suggests an emotional attachment or preference for these specific plants over others.
]It's certainly going to benefit the visitor experience, and that's very important to us,
