East Potomac Golf Links has witnessed significant changes since its inception over a century ago. One of the most rapid transformations occurred recently. In an accelerated operation on October 10th, National Park Service (NPS) crews cut down over 400 trees from vast areas of the federally-owned golf course.
By the following Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes intervened, halting further tree cutting until at least October 26th. She found that NPS likely violated federal environmental law and expressed concerns about irreversible damage. In her order, she noted, “Destroyed trees cannot be replaced.”
Destroyed trees cannot be replaced.
The felled trees remain at the site. The government, in a filing, urged Judge Reyes to lift her order, suggesting the court exceeded its authority. It also revealed a broader scope for the project than initially stated. Approximately 729 trees are slated for removal, with around 300 still standing. Crews have already removed about 369 trees from Zone A, which spans from the 17th green to halfway down the 16th fairway on the Blue Course. An additional 63 trees were taken from Zone B, encompassing the area behind the 12th green through the 13th hole to the first half of the 14th hole. NPS estimates that around 432 trees have been removed, with plans to confirm this by counting stumps.
Unlike previous tree removals due to dead, dying, or hazardous conditions, the trees cut last weekend were reportedly healthy and noninvasive, according to NPS officials. Evidence presented shows newly cut trunks and branches piled between fairways.
NPS stated that the removals were based on 2019 cultural landscape report recommendations. This report advised thinning trees to revive the open, links-style look originally designed for the course. The agency claims this work is unrelated to President Donald Trump’s planned renovation of East Potomac.
Judge Reyes questioned the timing, suggesting that the urgency was driven by Trump’s demands, not by a sudden commitment to the report’s recommendations.