Photos circulating on social media show the aftermath of the removal of weeping willow trees outside Washington’s Kennedy Center. These images have sparked renewed questions regarding the timing and motives behind the trees’ removal.
The willows were removed in October 2025, as they posed safety hazards, according to a spokesperson from the Kennedy Center who spoke to Newsweek. Earlier this year, Kennedy Center Executive Director Matthew Floca testified in federal court, explaining that most of the weeping willows had been removed due to decay.
Some social media posts erroneously attributed the removal to President Donald Trump or his administration. However, Floca clarified that discussions with Trump had not included specific talk about the weeping willows or their replacement. Floca mentioned that a weeping cherry tree could be an ideal substitute.
Newsweek reached out to the White House for a statement and was directed to the Kennedy Center.
Details from the Court Case
In a federal court opinion dated May 29, 2026, U.S. District Judge Christopher R. Cooper cited Floca’s testimony from an April 29 hearing concerning a lawsuit filed by preservation and architecture groups. The groups were challenging the Kennedy Center’s planned renovations.
Cooper noted that most willows part of the center’s original design had been removed due to decay. Floca suggested that ‘weeping cherry trees’ could be a ‘perfect’ replacement.
Floca, previously Kennedy Center’s VP of facilities, stated he and Trump hadn’t specifically discussed the willows or possible replacements. He argued that changing from a weeping willow to a weeping cherry didn’t represent a ‘material change to the exterior,’ though Cooper debated this due to the historical significance of the original design features.
Reasons for Willow Tree Removal
The court opinion, referencing Floca’s testimony, attributed most of the removal to decay. Additional reports highlighted the trees’ condition, mentioning they were planted in shallow beds over concrete decks. This environment contributed to shorter lifespans and vulnerability to decay and instability.
Forbes reported that one tree fell during a storm, and others were visibly deteriorating before their removal in October 2025.
The tree removal featured in broader legal disputes over Kennedy Center’s renovations. Preservation and architecture groups pursued legal action, arguing for a halt of renovation plans until proper reviews could be completed.
Historical Significance and Recent Changes
Judge Cooper expressed concerns about modifications already made to the Kennedy Center and potential future changes to historical aspects. He noted that the Kennedy Center’s columns and willow trees were considered ‘key contributors’ to its eligibility for the National Register of Historic Places.
The exterior columns were repainted from gold to white, and the willow trees were to be replaced with different species.
History of the Willow Trees at Kennedy Center
The Kennedy Center was originally designed with willow trees as part of its landscape, dating back to its opening in 1971. Known as the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts, the landscape plan developed in 1965 featured oak, flowering crab apples, maples, and willows.
The willows were planted in raised boxes on terraces overlooking the Potomac River, establishing their significance to the center’s historic character. However, it remains unclear if the trees removed in 2025 were original specimens.
Trump’s Role in Renovation Plans
Trump became chairman of Kennedy Center’s Board of Trustees in February 2025. He has significantly contributed to the center’s overhaul and renovation plans.
Though he released renderings in March depicting cherry trees on Potomac-facing terraces, feedback from Floca and court testimony clarified Trump hadn’t specifically addressed the willow trees or their replacements.
The renovation plans continue to face legal scrutiny. In an August court filing, Justice Department lawyers warned that without essential repairs, the Kennedy Center could fall into serious disrepair.
For more information, contact Newsweek editors Samantha Beech and Gray R. Thomas.
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