Former President Donald Trump revealed his intention to take down a tree believed to have been planted by President Andrew Jackson, citing concerns over its safety.
In a post shared Sunday on Truth Social, Trump stated he was collaborating with “the wonderful people at the National Park Service” to carry out “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,” Trump described. “It is a Southern Magnolia, that came from his home, The Hermitage, in Tennessee. That’s the good news!”
According to Trump, the tree’s deteriorating state presents a hazard and must be removed from the area near the White House entrance.
“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,” he continued.
Plans are already in place to fell the tree in the near future, and Trump assured that it would be replaced with another one.
“The Historic wood from the tree will be preserved by the White House Staff, and may be used for other high and noble purposes!!!” the president added.
Jackson, who led the country between 1829 and 1837, is said to have planted a pair of magnolia trees near the White House to honor his late wife Rachel, who died shortly before his inauguration. However, the National Park Service notes that the origin story might not be entirely accurate.
“Historical photographic documentation shows that magnolias first appeared at this location near the South Portico in the 1860s, still the trees are attributed to President Jackson,” the agency explained.
The trees have stood through numerous historical events, and the National Park Service designated them as “Witness Trees” nearly two decades ago.
“In 2006, the trees were designated as Witness Trees by the National Park Service, having borne witness to many ‘significant historic and cultural events,’” the NPS described. “The base of the trees also took the brunt of a Cessna airplane crash which targeted the White House in September 1994 and were subject to significant branch removal and pruning in December 2017.”
Online reactions to Trump’s decision varied, with supporters largely agreeing with the move while critics voiced strong opposition.
“I am a tree expert by trade, I’ve worked with trees for three decades now… these [magnolia] trees have notoriously soft wood that can become dry and brittle with age,” one X user wrote. “I wouldn’t be anywhere near that thing.”
“Be prepared for the left to treat this like WW3,” another joked.
Not everyone was amused. One detractor accused Trump of tampering with historical legacy.
“He is trying to lie his head off and rewrite or destroy history!” a Trump critic wrote. “The tree is much more important than Trump will EVER be!”
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