Thanks to reader Stephanie Pendergrass, who snapped these photos of a tree that fell across K Street NW between 20th and 21st at around 3:15 p.m. Stephanie says the tree landed on a van and an SUV, but she didn’t see anyone injured. Probably best to expect delays on any bus lines that travel along K Street, including the Circulator, and to plan alternate driving routes for those of you who commute by car.

What we don’t know yet is why or how the tree fell down. Did another car hit it? Did it have a tree disease that made it weak? It was sprinkling out today, but there wasn’t much wind to speak of that could have knocked over such a large tree. Anyone see it actually happen?

UPDATE: The AP reports that the tree was struck by a delivery truck. Traffic remains shut down in both directions while public works officials are cutting the tree with a chain saw in order to remove it.

On a personal note, on a day when I’ve made all the easiest, cheesiest jokes imaginable, I’m very, very sad that in my rush to post these photos, I had to rely on you commenters to make the “If a tree falls on a lobbyist …” joke. There is no emoticon sad enough to express my regret.