The tree is said to have been planted by Jackson on the South Lawn of the White House to honor the memory of his late wife, who died before his presidency began in 1829
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A magnolia tree said to be planted by President Andrew Jackson at least 196 years ago is set to be removed from the White House grounds over safety concerns.
In a Sunday post on Truth Social, President Donald Trump said that the roughly 2-century-year-old tree will be removed because of its advanced deterioration.
“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,” Trump said. “This process will take place next week, and will be replaced by another, very beautiful tree.”
The president said that wood from the tree, known as the Jackson Magnolia, will be used for “other high and noble purposes!!!”
The historic magnolia tree has been on the grounds of the White House for almost two centuries.
More about the history of the magnolia tree
Jackson is said to have planted the tree on the South Lawn of the White House to honor the memory of his late wife, who died before he took office in 1829, according to the National Park Service.
“Folklore tells us that these two southern magnolia trees were planted by President Andrew Jackson with seeds brought to Washington from the Hermitage, the President’s home near Nashville, Tennessee,” the park service said.
The tree has seen some work as it faced a major pruning and “significant branch removal” during Trump’s first term in office back in 2017, according to the National Park Service.
The base of the tree also suffered damage back in 1994, when a Cessna plane that targeted the White House hit the tree instead.
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at [email protected] and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.