Overview

• The nearly 200-year-old magnolia tree, believed to have been planted by Andrew Jackson, will be removed next week due to its hazardous condition.
• President Trump stated the tree's wood will be preserved for potential future uses, emphasizing efforts to protect historical elements of the White House grounds.
• The tree, associated with Jackson's late wife Rachel, has been a symbolic feature of the White House South Lawn but has suffered damage over the years, including from a 1994 plane crash.
• The National Park Service has noted that the tree's connection to Jackson is rooted in folklore, with photographic evidence of its presence only dating back to the 1860s.
• Public reactions to the announcement have been mixed, with some supporting the safety-driven decision and others lamenting the loss of a historic landmark.