A person on a paddle board makes their way across the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C.

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

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

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. / 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. / NPR

You can see the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in the distance as the cherry blossoms reached peak bloom.

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.

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. / WAMU

Visitors say their farewells as they pass by

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

An artist memorializes "Stumpy" in watercolors. / Carol Guzy for NPR

Cherry blossoms hover above the water in the Tidal Basin.

Cherry blossoms hover above the water in the Tidal Basin. / WAMU

People visit the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C., during the cherry blossoms' peak bloom on Wednesday.

People visit the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C., during the cherry blossoms' peak bloom on Wednesday. / NPR

Someone uses a cell phone to compose a photo of

Someone uses a cell phone to compose a photo of "Stumpy." / WAMU

Jiayi Zheng leaves a flower for the beloved cherry blossom tree named

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

Cherry blossoms carpet the ground around the Tidal Basin.

Cherry blossoms carpet the ground around the Tidal Basin. / Carol Guzy for NPR

A woman enjoys the cherry blossoms during their peak bloom.

A woman enjoys the cherry blossoms during their peak bloom. "Stumpy" can be seen reflected in her sunglasses. / Carol Guzy for NPR

Residents and visitors take photos of

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. / NPR

People photograph cherry blossoms as they reach their peak bloom around the Tidal Basin.

People photograph cherry blossoms as they reach their peak bloom around the Tidal Basin. / Carol Guzy for NPR

A person poses with the cherry blossoms in their graduation outfit.

A person poses with the cherry blossoms in their graduation outfit. / WAMU

A girl touches the cherry blossoms.

A girl touches the cherry blossoms. / Carol Guzy for NPR

People take turns getting their photo taken with

People take turns getting their photo taken with "Stumpy," the most famous cherry tree around the capital's Tidal Basin. / WAMU

Tags: Washington, D.C.  cherry blossoms  tidal basin  Peak bloom  stumpy