A Southern Magnolia tree at the White House that traces its roots back to the era of President Andrew Jackson has been removed due to the risk of structural failure.
The White House announced that the tree, one of the several southern magnolias near the South Portico of the White House, commonly known as the “Andrew Jackson Commemorative – Southern Magnolia,” was removed from the White House Grounds on Monday.
“After expert analysis and careful coordination between a board-certified Master Arborist, National Park Service, the White House Grounds Superintendent, the White House Executive Residence and its Office of the Curator, the Offices of the President and the First Lady, and United States Secret Service, the White House has made the careful decision to remove the Jackson Magnolia to ensure the safety of staff, visitors, and the Grounds themselves,” said a White House spokesperson.
On Tuesday, a 12-year-old sapling that’s a direct descendant of the “Jackson Magnolia,” grown offsite at the National Park Service Greenhouse in preparation for the removal of its parent, will be planted in its place. Remnants of the old tree will be preserved by the Office of the Curator and honored by the White House.
According to the American Society of Consulting Arborists, the original tree “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 National Park Service also concurred, noting that the average lifespan of a Southern Magnolia is 100 years.
The Jackson Magnolia is considered one of the oldest trees on the White House complex.
Andrew Jackson was a soldier, U.S. senator, and president of the United States, born in the Carolinas' Waxhaw settlement of Lancaster District. Andrew Jackson is the only South Carolinian to have served as president of the United States.
More information on the Andrew Jackson Commemorative Southern Magnolia can be found here.
