President Trump oversaw the removal of the storied Jackson Magnolia from the White House lawn due to safety concerns, ending a nearly two-century botanical legacy tied to Andrew Jackson.
At a Glance
- The Jackson Magnolia, planted by President Andrew Jackson, was removed after being declared a safety hazard.
- The tree had outlived its expected 100-year lifespan and was supported by a steel pole since 1984.
- A 12-year-old sapling, genetically identical to the original, was planted as a replacement.
- Experts and arborists confirmed the tree posed a structural risk requiring immediate removal.
- Wood from the original magnolia will be preserved for historical use and future propagation.
A historic tree’s final chapter
The Jackson Magnolia, a Southern Magnolia planted nearly 200 years ago by President Andrew Jackson in memory of his wife Rachel, was removed from the White House South Lawn after being deemed a significant safety risk. The decision, approved by President Donald Trump following multiple expert assessments, brought an end to one of the most iconic botanical features in White House history.
The magnolia had long been supported by a steel pole and multiple cables. Though the National Park Service designated it a “witness tree” in 2006, efforts to preserve it—including major pruning in 2017—were ultimately unsuccessful. Grounds Superintendent Dale Haney, who had cared for the tree for decades, said, “We have done everything for this tree to keep it up,” according to Fox News.
Expert assessment and safety concerns
Peter Hart, a consulting arborist, determined the tree had “surpassed the time of serving as an aesthetic and historic landmark due to the potential harm it may cause because of the risk of structural failure.” The American Society of Consulting Arborists agreed, recommending removal “to eliminate the risk of personal injury and/or property damage,” as reported by WKRG.
President Trump echoed these concerns, stating, “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,” according to The Times.
Watch video of the Jackson Magnolia’s removal.
Preserving the past through renewal
Even as the historic tree was felled, plans were in place for its successor. A 12-year-old magnolia sapling, cultivated at the National Park Service Greenhouse from the original tree’s genetic material, was planted by President Trump to maintain the lineage.
The White House’s Office of the Curator and Executive Residence will preserve parts of the original magnolia for future educational and ceremonial uses. Trump noted that its wood “may be used for other high and noble purposes,” suggesting commemorative or artistic applications.
In 2022, President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden planted an additional magnolia sapling also descended from the Jackson tree, continuing the tradition of botanical continuity.
An enduring symbol of American history
The Jackson Magnolia stood witness to nearly every presidency since Jackson’s own. It survived a 1994 plane crash, appeared in White House photography, and was even featured on the $20 bill from 1928 to 1998. Its legacy was embraced by First Ladies Jackie Kennedy and Michelle Obama, the latter using seedlings as diplomatic gifts.
With its replacement now in place, the White House Grounds—America’s oldest continuously maintained landscape—preserves a living piece of presidential history. The magnolia’s legacy, rooted in personal tribute and national heritage, continues to grow through its carefully nurtured descendants.
