D.C. Plans to Cut Down 300 Iconic Cherry Trees to Fix Seawall

Nearly 300 of Washington D.C.’s iconic cherry trees will be removed to repair crumbling seawalls.

The National Park Service announced on Tuesday that it will cut down approximately 300 of the iconic trees which line the tidal basin in West Potomac Park. There are approximately 3,800 cherry trees in the park, meaning that only seven percent of trees will be affected by the construction.

The announcement comes just one week away from the National Cherry Blossom Festival, commemorating the original gift of the trees from Tokyo City Mayor Yukio Ozaki in 1912.

Read more at The Daily Beast.