Why is Trump removing the Jackson Magnolia tree from the White House?

Mar 31

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Craig Nigrelli Anchor

By Craig Nigrelli (Anchor), William Jackson (Producer), Jack Henry (Video Editor)

Authorities will remove the historic Jackson Magnolia tree near the White House’s South Portico due to safety concerns and its deteriorating condition. The tree, believed to be the oldest on the grounds, has been declining for years despite preservation efforts.
The National Park Service designated the tree a “Witness Tree” in 2006 for its presence during significant historical events.
The tree’s removal marks the end of a chapter in White House history, with plans to replace it with a new tree and preserve its wood.

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A southern magnolia tree near the White House’s South Portico — widely believed to be the oldest on the grounds — is scheduled for removal. President Donald Trump announced the decision Sunday, March 30, on Truth Social, citing safety concerns. He said the tree was in “terrible condition” and posed a hazard near the South Lawn entrance, where presidents often greet visiting dignitaries and board Marine One.

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The tree, known as the Jackson Magnolia, has been declining for years. Arborists have used steel cables and support structures to keep it upright, but White House and National Park Service specialists determined it no longer safe to keep standing.

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What is the historical significance of the magnolia tree?

According to the National Park Service, folklore says President Andrew Jackson planted seeds from his Tennessee home, the Hermitage, in the early 1830s, which grew into the tree. The gesture was reportedly a tribute to his wife, Rachel, who died shortly before he took office in 1829.

While photos confirm the presence of magnolias at the South Portico by the 1860s, historians continue to debate the precise origin of the tree. Despite the uncertainty, people have long associated the tree with Jackson and his presidency.

In 2006, the National Park Service designated it a “Witness Tree” for standing through significant historical events. The tree has served as the backdrop for presidential arrivals, ceremonial events and even appeared in illustrations on the U.S. $20 bill.

How has the tree been maintained over the years?

The tree has weathered both natural decay and major incidents. A Cessna aircraft crashed onto the White House South Lawn in 1994, damaging the tree. In 2017, it underwent heavy pruning to remove dead and unstable limbs. Despite preservation efforts, the tree continued to deteriorate. Its removal will mark the end of one of the most visible and symbolically rich landmarks on the White House grounds.

What will happen to the tree’s remains?

Trump said he will replace the magnolia with another tree and preserve the original wood for what he called “high and noble purposes.” Trump has not disclosed specific details about the new tree or how he plans to use the historic wood.

What broader changes are taking place on the White House grounds?

The announcement follows other landscape changes proposed by the Trump administration, including plans to pave over parts of the Rose Garden.

Trump said the grassy area becomes waterlogged during public events, calling it impractical for large gatherings.

Tags: Donald Trump, National Park Service, National Parks, White House

[Craig Negrelli]

A NEARLY 200-YEAR-OLD SOUTHERN MAGNOLIA TREE ON THE WHITE HOUSE LAWN IS COMING DOWN. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP ANNOUNCED THE DECISION SUNDAY, CALLING THE TREE A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. THE TOWERING SOUTHERN MAGNOLIA SITS JUST OFF THE SOUTH PORTICO—STEPS AWAY FROM WHERE PRESIDENTS GREET FOREIGN LEADERS AND BOARD MARINE ONE.

KNOWN AS THE JACKSON MAGNOLIA, THE TREE IS WIDELY BELIEVED TO BE THE OLDEST ON WHITE HOUSE GROUNDS. ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, LEGEND HOLDS THAT PRESIDENT JACKSON PLANTED IT IN THE EARLY 1830S USING SEEDS FROM HIS TENNESSEE HOME, THE HERMITAGE. THE GESTURE WAS TO HONOR HIS LATE WIFE, RACHEL, WHO DIED JUST BEFORE HE TOOK OFFICE.

PHOTOGRAPHS SHOW MAGNOLIAS NEAR THE SOUTH PORTICO AS EARLY AS THE 1860S. OVER THE YEARS, THE JACKSON MAGNOLIA BECAME A VISUAL HALLMARK OF THE WHITE HOUSE LANDSCAPE, APPEARING IN STATE VISIT BACKDROPS, PRESIDENTIAL ARRIVALS, AND EVEN ILLUSTRATIONS ON THE $20 BILL.

BUT THE TREE HAS BEEN IN DECLINE FOR DECADES. IT LOST ITS LARGEST LIMB IN 1994 WHEN A SMALL PLANE CRASHED ONTO THE SOUTH LAWN. SINCE THE 1980S, SPECIALISTS HAVE USED STEEL CABLES AND TELESCOPING POLES TO HOLD ITS REMAINING STRUCTURE IN PLACE. INTERIOR DECAY HAS HOLLOWED OUT MUCH OF THE TRUNK, LEAVING ONLY A THIN OUTER SHELL. DESPITE MAJOR PRUNING IN 2017 AND ONGOING EFFORTS TO PRESERVE IT, ARBORISTS NOW SAY THE TREE IS TOO STRUCTURALLY COMPROMISED TO REMAIN SAFELY STANDING.

TRUMP SAID IT WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW MAGNOLIA AND WOOD FROM THE ORIGINAL WILL BE PRESERVED FOR “HIGH AND NOBLE PURPOSES.”

THE ANNOUNCEMENT COMES AS PART OF BROADER CHANGES TO THE WHITE HOUSE GROUNDS. EARLIER THIS YEAR, TRUMP PROPOSED PAVING OVER PARTS OF THE ROSE GARDEN, SAYING THE GRASS DOESN’T HOLD UP WELL DURING PUBLIC EVENTS.

THE MAGNOLIA’S REMOVAL CLOSES A CHAPTER IN WHITE HOUSE HISTORY—ONE TIED TO THE LEGACY AND FOLKLORE OF ANDREW JACKSON AND THE TRADITIONS THAT HAVE GROWN AROUND IT.

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