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The Jackson Magnolia, the oldest tree on the White House grounds which was reportedly planted by former President Andrew Jackson, was removed by the National Park Service Monday morning.
According to the National Park Service, legends holds that President Jackson personally planted two southern magnolia trees located immediately west of the South Portico, in memory of his wife, Rachel, who died just weeks before his swearing-in ceremony in 1829.
However, one of the trees has been in extremely poor condition for years, despite all the White House gardeners have done to try to save it, including installing cables and a steel pole. In September 1994, a Cessna airplane targeting the White House crashed into the base of the tree.
It was scheduled to be cut down in 2017, but ended up just receiving a major pruning. CNN had posted a video at the time, which shows the poor condition of the tree.
An iconic tree on the White House grounds is scheduled to be cut down after years of decay https://t.co/bg2C3sQ0Td pic.twitter.com/00Vw8WOZVq
— CNN (@CNN) December 26, 2017
President Trump announced in a Truth Social post on March 30 that the tree would be cut down soon. He wrote:
Working together with a fantastic and very talented Executive Residence Staff, along with the wonderful people at the National Park Service, we are making tremendous enhancements to the White House, thereby preserving and protecting History! One of the interesting dilemmas is a tree planted many years ago by the Legendary President and General, Andrew Jackson. It is a Southern Magnolia, that came from his home, The Hermitage, in Tennessee. That’s the good news!
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. The Historic wood from the tree will be preserved by the White House Staff, and may be used for other high and noble purposes!!!
Reporter Andrew Leyden posted final photos of the tree on Sunday evening, which shows the tall, historic tree leaning precariously toward the White House.
The Jackson Magnolia, one of the oldest trees at the White House, is scheduled to be removed shortly following a Truth post by @POTUS where he mentioned it is in bad shape and in danger of falling down. pic.twitter.com/qpxv6fWZC9
— Andrew Leyden (@PenguinSix) April 7, 2025
Monday morning, Leyden shared new photos and announced that the nearly 200-year-old tree is now gone.
The Jackson Magnolia, the oldest tree on the White House grounds, was removed by the National Park Service today. pic.twitter.com/jakp8l5TMc
— Andrew Leyden (@PenguinSix) April 7, 2025
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