Featured Image Credit: Bonnie Cash/UPI/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Topics: Donald Trump, Environment, US News, Nature
Joe Yates
Topics: Donald Trump, Environment, US News, Nature
The entrance to the White House as we know it will permanently change as of next week.
Ever since construction of the estate way back in 1792, the residency and everything that moves, hangs and grows there has been and become a symbol of the American people.
But President Trump's home, and that of every leader of the US before him - except for the nation's first President George Washington who died a year before its completion - is about to undergo a notable change.
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That is that a southern mangolia tree, believed to have been planted in the 1800s by 7th President Andrew Jackson - who was in power for his eight years between 1829 and 1837 - is to be chopped down on Trump's orders.
Taking to his social media platform, Truth Social, the 78-year-old Republican shared his plans.
He typed: "Working together with a fantastic and very talented Executive Residence Staff, along with the wonderful people at the National Park Service, we are making tremendous enhancements to the White House, thereby preserving and protecting History!
"One of the interesting dilemmas is a tree planted many years ago by the Legendary President and General, Andrew Jackson. It is a Southern Magnolia, that came from his home, The Hermitage, in Tennessee. That’s the good news!
"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."
Adding: "This process will take place next week, and will be replaced by another, very beautiful tree. The Historic wood from the tree will be preserved by the White House Staff, and may be used for other high and noble purposes!!!"
While the news may come as a shock to environmentalists, the United States Department of Agriculture estimate that the lifespan of a southern magnolia is between 80 and 120 years - this particular White House seedling boasts of almost 200 years.
Taking to Twitter, users shared their thoughts on the news.
"Before they take it out, they should take a bunch of cuttings and propagate those. Baby them, grow them, then replant a dozen around the White House lawn," one typed.
A second wrote: "Lets hope the wood gets used for something special. It's a very pretty light colored wood but it's not very durable."
While a third added: "Two hundred years is a long time for that tree. They should plant an oak or something else native to the region."