Removal of 140-year-old gingko tree at Farragut Square a mistake

The U.S. Park Service is reporting that a contractor hired to remove a diseased ash tree from one corner of Farragut Square mistakenly chopped down a healthy and mature 140-year-old gingko tree instead. The tree was thought to be the largest and oldest of its kind in the District, planted sometime around 1880. Residents and those who work around Farragut Square were quick to express their disappointment as the massive tree had provided many with a shady spot for lunch during summer months. The sight of a thick trunked tree with full, wide branches is increasingly rare for city-dwellers. Park Service representatives say that the contractor will likely face legal trouble.