Centuries-old tree falls in Northwest DC

WASHINGTON — Gary Thompson has lived on Northampton Street, Northwest, for the past 31 years and says the Northampton Oak that stood in his neighborhood was a point of pride for the community.

“This tree has provided us canopy and enjoyment for many, many years,” he recalled. “It’s the centerpiece of our block.”

Thompson says the city has come out to help maintain the centuries-old tree, but arborists warned that it was on its last legs, and may have rotted on the inside.

On Monday morning, Thompson said he heard a thundering crack outside his home and knew the more than 400-year-old tree had finally fallen.

“I heard a loud crack, a huge thunder, I knew right away what it was,” he said.

The tree fell on a home, pulling down power lines and leaving multiple homes without power. The tree also damaged several vehicles parked on the street. 

Thompson says despite the damage, he’s thankful it wasn’t worse. He hopes some of the wood can be repurposed and made into furniture, and looks forward to tracking down some of the younger trees around D.C. that grew from the oak’s acorns. 

“This tree came down so rapidly, if anybody had been out here, underneath it, or a car had come by, it could’ve been a terrible thing,” he says. “Thank goodness, no one was hurt.”