Removal of Weeping Willow Trees at Kennedy Center Sparks Questions and Legal Battles

Photos showing the aftermath of removing weeping willow trees outside Washington’s Kennedy Center circulated on social media Tuesday. This renewed questions about the timing and reasons for their removal. A Kennedy Center spokesperson stated the trees were removed in October 2025 due to safety concerns stemming from decay.

Why Were the Willow Trees Removed?

In a court opinion from May 29, 2026, U.S. District Judge Christopher R. Cooper noted that the weeping willow trees, part of the Kennedy Center’s original design, were felled due to decay. Kennedy Center Executive Director Matthew Floca testified that replacing the weeping willows with weeping cherry trees would not cause a significant change to the center’s exterior.

The willows had been planted in shallow beds over concrete, leading to shorter lifespans. Reports indicated their instability and decay, with one tree falling in a storm before the 2025 removal.

Historical and Legal Context

The willow trees were part of the landscape design from the Kennedy Center’s opening in 1971. A planting plan in 1965 included willows, flowering crab apples, and red maples. Rows of willows were placed in boxes on terraces overlooking the Potomac River. While significant to the center’s historic character, it remains unclear if the removed trees were originals from this period.

The trees’ removal is tied to legal disputes regarding renovations at the Kennedy Center. Preservation groups have sued to halt changes until necessary reviews and approvals are completed. Judge Cooper highlighted the weeping willows and columns as critical to the Kennedy Center’s eligibility for the National Register of Historic Places.

Trump’s Involvement

Donald Trump became chairman of the Kennedy Center’s Board of Trustees in February 2025 and was involved in broader renovations. However, Floca clarified in court that he and Trump had not specifically discussed either the removal of the willows or their replacement.

Plans for the Kennedy Center renovations, released by Trump, show cherry trees replacing the removed willows. This broader renovation is still subject to ongoing legal challenges. The Justice Department has argued repairs are essential to prevent further disrepair or eventual demolition of the center.