White House to cut down dangerous magnolia tree planted by Andrew Jackson, Trump says: Must come to an end

A famous southern magnolia tree thought to have been planted by President Andrew Jackson at the White House nearly 200 years ago is set to be felled next week, President Trump announced Sunday.Trump, 78, said that the iconic tree believed to have been planted by one of his favorite presidents “is in terrible condition” and poses a safety hazard to occupants of the executive mansion.“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 wrote on Truth Social Sunday.“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!!!”The country’s 7th president is believed to have planted at least two magnolia trees near the White House South Portico, thought to have come from Jackson’s home, The Hermitage, in Tennessee.Seeds of the two trees were supposedly planted on the South Lawn to pay tribute to Jackson’s late wife, Rachel, who died just before his ascent to the White House, according to folklore.There is controversy about the veracity of Jackson’s ties to the magnolias, given that images of the trees near the South Portico date back to the 1860s.Jackson served as president from 1829 to 1837.The base of the two trees endured significant damage in 1994, when a small Cessna plane piloted by Frank Eugene Corder crashed onto the South Lawn as it skidded towards the White House.During Trump’s first administration, the tree also underwent pruning and branch removal in December 2017.The National Park Service (NPS) has designated the trees as Witness Trees that were present for “significant historic and cultural events.”Jackson was the first Democrat to serve as president, but Trump has occasionally expressed admiration for the populist 7th president.

“I mean, had Andrew...