President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that a nearly two-century-old tree on the White House grounds will be cut down due to decay. The southern magnolia, located near the south side portico, is a symbolic spot for welcoming foreign leaders and serving as a departure point for the president’s helicopter rides. Legend has it that the tree’s seeds were brought by President Andrew Jackson from his Tennessee home as a tribute to his late wife Rachel in 1829.
In a statement on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump lamented the necessity of removing the ailing tree, citing safety concerns. He assured that a new tree will be planted in its place. Trump also mentioned the possibility of using the wood for future projects.
The tree had undergone significant pruning during Trump’s first term in 2017 and had been previously damaged in 1994 when a small plane crashed into the White House grounds.
