I love this tree. It stands southwest of the Washington Monument, just inside the haha wall and beside the path that ascends to the plaza and obelisk. (Before the renovation of the grounds, a path went straight down from the plaza, winding around the tree as it descended to the foot of the hill.) It’s a favorite play area for kids visiting the Monument, tourist and local alike, and wedding photographers like it for local post-nuptial shoots. Yet I know so little about the Monument Tree: what kind of tree is it? How long has it been there? Does it have a name? If it doesn’t, can we name it? What shall we name it? Can we name it George? Huh? Huh?

This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs

Paulo Ordoveza

Roving Asian mendicant, can occasionally be seen wandering the streets of downtown Washington, muttering unintelligible gibberish to passers-by while pushing a “bag lady” shopping cart full of old blankets, American flags, soda cans, and healthy secondhand snacks from organic food shop dumpsters. Used to live in a cardboard box at 16th and K but the rent was too expensive.