In a symbolic gesture marking a new chapter in the history of the White House gardens, President Donald J. Trump took to the grounds of the Executive Mansion on Tuesday to plant a new magnolia tree. This tree serves as a replacement for the historic Jackson Magnolia, which had to be taken down due to safety concerns.

President Trump announced the event via his social media platform, expressing his enthusiasm with the words, “We have a beautiful tree now at the White House.” Although the press was not permitted to cover the planting ceremony, a brief video later surfaced online. The footage captured a moment of camaraderie between Trump and Dale Haney, the White House grounds superintendent, who has dedicated 53 years of service to the site. During the event, Trump praised Haney, saying, “Dale’s been here 53 years. He’s fantastic.”

The original southern magnolia tree had graced the area near the South Portico of the White House for nearly two centuries, becoming an integral part of official ceremonies and a backdrop for moments involving visiting dignitaries from around the globe. According to reports from the Associated Press, Trump had initially revealed on March 30 that the 200-year-old tree was in “terrible condition” and posed potential safety risks to visitors and staff alike.

Historical records from the National Park Service indicate that the Jackson Magnolia was brought to the White House by President Andrew Jackson, who reportedly carried the seeds from his estate near Nashville, Tennessee. This act was said to be a tribute to his beloved wife, Rachel, who passed away shortly before he assumed the presidency in 1829. The new sapling that has been planted is a 12-year-old descendant of the original Jackson Magnolia, nurtured specifically in an offsite greenhouse to ensure its vitality and connection to the historic tree.

In a nod to the legacy of the original tree, parts of the removed giant will be preserved for archival purposes, while some of its wood may be incorporated into future projects, as President Trump mentioned. Interestingly, the original Jackson Magnolia had previously survived a plane crash in 1994 and underwent significant pruning in 2017, underscoring the challenges it faced over the years.