Stumpy faces axe along with dozens of Washington’s Tidal Basin cherry trees

Stumpy the mascot dances near the real Stumpy in Washington DC (AP)

The sun is setting on Stumpy, the gnarled old cherry tree that has become a social media phenomenon.

This year’s cherry blossom festivities in Washington DC will be the last for Stumpy and more than 100 other cherry trees that will be cut down as part of a multi-year restoration of their Tidal Basin home.