Stumpy’s Final Bloom

Caption: Erica Grieg kisses a beloved iconic cherry blossom tree named ‘Stumpy’ that bloomed for the last time at the Tidal Basin in Washington DC on March 20, 2024. Visitors are heard sadly saying farewell as they pass by the cherished tree that has become a symbol of resilience. He bloomed over the years despite the frail weathered condition of his fragile shell of a trunk inspiring those who feel broken.

Citizens overwhelmingly voiced their desire to ‘Save Stumpy’ as a national treasure. There were petitions. Many believed at least giving him a chance by transplanting was appropriate but the National Park Service refused any alternative except cutting him down, including a request by the Smithsonian to preserve as part of a permanent museum collection, sparking frustration and sorrow.

Approximately 300 trees will be removed during repairs on deteriorating seawalls from rising sea levels. The renovation project may take 3 years and new trees will be planted.

Bio: Carol Guzy was born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and lived there until 1978 when she completed her studies at Northampton County Area Community College, graduating with an Associate's degree in Registered Nursing.   A change of heart led her to the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale in Florida to study photography. She graduated in 1980 with an Associate in Applied Science degree in Photography. While at the Art Institute, she interned at The Miami Herald and upon graduation was hired as a staff photographer. She spent eight years at the newspaper before moving to Washington, DC in 1988 where she became a staff photographer at The Washington Post through 2014. 

She is the first journalist to receive a fourth Pulitzer - for coverage of the Haitian earthquake in 2010.  Previously she was honored twice with the Pulitzer Prize for Spot News Photography for her coverage of the military intervention in Haiti and the devastating mudslide in Armero, Colombia.  She has received a third Pulitzer Prize for Feature Photography for her work in Kosovo. She has been named Photographer of the Year for the National Press Photographers Association three times and eight times for the White House News Photographers Association and has earned many other prestigious awards in her  chosen profession of photojournalism.  She specializes on long-form documentary human interest projects, news and feature stories, both domestic and international and is currently a contract photographer with ZUMA Press.

Size: 18x24 Print

Photographer's Website: https://www.carolguzy.com/