GREENACRES, Fla. — A large portion of a famed magnolia tree planted on the south grounds of the White House by President Andrew Jackson will be removed because it is weak and poses a safety risk, a spokeswoman for first lady Melania Trump said Tuesday.
GREENACRES, Fla. — A large portion of a famed magnolia tree planted on the south grounds of the White House by President Andrew Jackson will be removed because it is weak and poses a safety risk, a spokeswoman for first lady Melania Trump said Tuesday.
Removal is planned for this week while President Donald Trump and his family are at their Florida home for the holidays.
Stephanie Grisham, a spokeswoman for Mrs. Trump, said the first lady reviewed reports from the U.S. National Arboretum about the nearly 200-year-old tree’s condition and discussed exploring options with White House staff before deciding that a portion of the tree needed to be removed.
“She trusted that every effort had been made to preserve the historic tree, and was concerned about the safety of visitors and members of the press who are often standing right in front of the tree during Marine One lifts,” Grisham said, referring to the presidential helicopter.
Mrs. Trump has asked that wood from the tree be preserved, and that seedlings be available if the opportunity to plant a new tree arises.
