“Must Come To An End”: President Trump Says Tree Planted by Andrew Jackson at White House to be Chopped Down

The enormous iconic tree that sits at the grand entrance to the White House is slated to be chopped down in the coming days.

The Southern Magnolia, purportedly planted from seed that Andrew Jackson brought from his Tennessee home, has stood for nearly 200 years.

Ironically, there has been much debate since President Trump’s first term regarding perceived similarities between him and the alleged planter of the tree in question; the seventh President of the United States, who served from 1829-1837.

Brian Kilmeade gave a great breakdown of that debate back during President Trump’s first term, on the heels of writing a book about President Andrew Jackson.

I’ll use that VERY INTERESTING video as a primer for this story:

Regardless of that interesting debate, the tree attributed to Andrew Jackson is now slated to be cut down for safety reasons.

President Trump announced the plans to chop down the historical “witness tree” today, saying that it “must come to an end”:

Trump announces plan to chop down magnolia tree purportedly planted by Andrew Jackson: 'Must come to an end' https://t.co/9iKRzAcdn6

— Fox News (@FoxNews) March 30, 2025

Though the tree will soon be put on the chopping block (I’ll see myself out), there are apparently plans to salvage the wood.

The President stated that the preserved wood would likely be used for “other high and noble purposes”, presumably in the White House, according to Fox News:

“One of the interesting dilemmas is a tree planted many years ago by the Legendary President and General, Andrew Jackson,” Trump described. “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,” he continued.

The historic tree will be chopped down in coming days, and Trump wrote that it will be replaced “by another, very beautiful tree.”

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“The Historic wood from the tree will be preserved by the White House Staff, and may be used for other high and noble purposes!!!” the president added.

Jackson, who served as president from 1829 to 1837, reportedly planted two magnolia trees near the White House in honor of his wife Rachel, who died in 1828. But according to the National Park Service’s (NPS) website, the trees’ connection to Old Hickory is debatable.

Coincidentally, I used a photo of the White House in a story this morning which DOES NOT show the Jackson tree, but which actually shows a tree on the opposite side of the White House.

But in that story, one of President Trump’s top team members teases plans for a little remodeling in her section of the West Wing:

‘Ice Maiden’ Floats Major Change in the West Wing – “If [President Trump] Will Let Me”

It occurs to me that the 'MAJOR CHANGE' Wiles' said she'd like to make to her section of offices in the West Wing... COULD BE DONE using wood from Andrew Jackson's tree!

How awesomely historic would that be!

Here's the announcement President Trump made on his Truth Social account regarding the imminent felling of the great tree:

And here's the full text of his announcement for easier viewing:

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. 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!!!

Oddly enough, I keep stumbling on news clips and stories announcing that the White House is planning to cut the tree down... FROM 7 YEARS AGO!?

I honestly don't know why the tree wasn't removed as planned, but it was apparently in the works to remove it during President Trump's first term for exactly the same reasons -- but for some unknown reason, it never happened.

Here's a story from 7 YEARS AGO that aged perfectly describing the removal plans, and the story is still just as relevant as it would have been written a few days ago:

I also stumbled on ANOTHER story from the same time period describing plans to cut down the tree from the Washington Post.

This story has even more interesting historical info than the previous clip:

The ultimate decision this go around was apparently made after President Trump consulted with those in charge of the Executive Residence, and the National Park Service -- which maintains the grounds of the White House.

I did find one possible clue that the plans to remove the tree entirely in 2017 may have morphed into a salvage effort.

There is mention of a 'branch removal and pruning' that occurred in 2017, according to a report in The Hill:

The White House will remove from its property a magnolia tree planted nearly 200 years ago with seeds said to have been brought from former President Jackson’s home in Tennessee.

President Trump announced Sunday that, after consulting with the Executive Residence Staff and the National Park Service, the administration has decided to replace the tree, saying it poses a safety hazard.

The tree was planted with seeds from a tree at The Hermitage, Jackson’s home in Tennessee, to honor his late wife, Rachel, who died just months before Jackson took office.

Efforts have been made for decades to preserve the historic tree, which underwent a “significant branch removal and pruning in December 2017,” according to The National Park Service.

Though the historic tree has seen its last days overlooking the entrance to the White House, I'm interested to find out what unique pieces of furniture or décor might come from its wood, intended to grace the halls of the People's House.

I'm also curious to find out what tree might be put in its' place, as there has always been talk of a replacement, even during the 2017 planned removal.

It wouldn't surprise me to learn that President Trump had plans to plant a tree in honor of those who endured the same type of lawfare he did at the hands of those responsible for the J6 tragedies.

Maybe an Oak... with a particularly strong limb about 20 feet up, to serve as notice to those willing to make a mockery out of the American justice system to satisfy their own political needs?

That's my vote -- a good strong American Oak, right in front of the White House entrance.

We could name it "The Tree of Justice".

Maybe the National Park Service could just identify a mature specimen, and transplant it -- ready for immediate use?