President Donald Trump has authorized the removal of a nearly 200-year-old southern magnolia from the White House grounds, citing safety risks that have brought an end to the tenure of a tree tied to President Andrew Jackson. The removal, scheduled for next week, will close a chapter on a historic landmark that has stood since the early 19th century.
Known as the Jackson Magnolia, the tree’s origins trace back to around 1829, when Jackson reportedly planted two southern magnolias near the South Portico as a tribute to his wife, Rachel, who died shortly before his inauguration.
Historical records indicate he brought seeds from his Tennessee estate, the Hermitage, for this purpose. By the 1860s, photographs confirmed magnolias in that location, and in 2006, the National Park Service designated them as Witness Trees, acknowledging their presence through significant national events.
The tree has endured multiple challenges over the years. In September 1994, a small Cessna plane crashed into the South Lawn, damaging its base. Despite extensive pruning in 2017 and the addition of a support cabling system, its condition has declined, posing a hazard to White House visitors and staff.
President Trump has announced that the magnolia’s wood will be preserved for future use, with a new tree to be planted in its place to uphold the tradition of commemorative plantings.
The removal of the Jackson Magnolia marks the loss of a living piece of American history, one that has stood witness to nearly two centuries of change.