White House's historic magnolia to be removed for safety
An almost 200-year-old tree at the entrance of the White House is set to be removed for safety reasons, President Donald Trump announced on Sunday. The tree's sapling was originally brought from Andrew Jackson's estate near Nashville, Tennessee. Jackson was the 7th President of the United States.
"The bad news is that everything must come to an end, and this tree is in terrible condition, a very dangerous safety hazard, at the White House Entrance, no less, and must now be removed. This process will take place next week, and will be replaced by another, very beautiful tree," Trump wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social. He emphasized that wood from the cut tree "may be used for other high and noble purposes!"
The southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) grows near the south wing of the White House, where foreign leaders are often welcomed. American presidents also depart from there to board the Marine One helicopter.
According to the National Park Service website, quoted by the AP agency, the tree's sapling was brought from his estate near Nashville, Tennessee, by Andrew Jackson, the 7th President of the USA.
The age-old tree was damaged after being hit by a plane
It was likely planted to commemorate the president's wife, Rachel, who passed away shortly before his inauguration in 1829. Jackson was the first U.S. president from the Democratic Party and served until 1837.
The AP recalls that the tree was significantly pruned in 2017 during Trump's first term. It was also damaged in 1994 when a small Cessna plane crashed on the South Lawn, hitting the White House.
