Briefings & Statements

# White House to Safely Replace Historic “Jackson Magnolia” with Descendant Sapling

The White House
April 7, 2025

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The White House announced today that one of the several southern magnolia trees near the South Portico of the White House, commonly known as the “Andrew Jackson Commemorative – Southern Magnolia,” has been removed from the White House Grounds on Monday, April 7, 2025, due to serious safety concerns cited in an official report. A new sapling, which is a direct descendant of the “Jackson Magnolia,” will be planted in its place on Tuesday, April 8, 2025.

“After expert analysis and careful coordination between Peter Hart, a board-certified Master Arborist and registered consulting arborist with the American Society of Consulting Arborists, 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. “Remnants of the old tree will be preserved by the Office of the Curator and honored by the White House, and this new tree will continue the heritage of the ‘Jackson Magnolia’ for generations to come.”

The collaborative decision regarding the “Jackson Magnolia” follows a comprehensive assessment by Peter Hart, a board-certified master arborist and registered consulting arborist with the American Society of Consulting Arborists, which concluded the tree has “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 report also recommended, “to eliminate the risk of personal injury and/or property damage, this tree should be removed as soon as can be scheduled.”

The National Park Service provided the following in concurrence with the report, “Despite ongoing preservation efforts, the ‘Jackson Magnolia’ tree has reached the end of its lifespan and must be removed due to safety concerns. The average lifespan of a Southern Magnolia is 100 years. A new magnolia sapling from the original tree will continue the tradition of honoring this tree’s history while investing in the future. Together with the Executive Residence staff, the National Park Service remains committed to caring for the White House landscape and grounds, ensuring its legacy endures for this and future generations.”

BACKGROUND
Preservation: Existing procedures and cooperation between the National Park Service (NPS), White House Executive Residence, and its Office of the Curator, will ensure the preservation of the salvageable remnants of the “Jackson Magnolia.”

Per NPS: As the White House Grounds are a part of the National Park system in accordance with applicable NPS regulations and policy and General Services Administration rules on disposal of excess government property, the NPS will—after setting aside a sample of the tree for historical and archival purposes—transfer any remaining wood from the Jackson Magnolia to the Executive Residence, which is a Federal component within the Executive Office of the President.

The White House remains committed to the stewardship and preservation of its historic grounds and will continue to work closely with professionals in maintaining the safety, beauty, and historical integrity of the property.

New Sapling: The new sapling is 12 years old and was grown at the offsite National Park Service Greenhouse in preparation for the removal of its parent, the “Jackson Magnolia.”

Jackson Magnolia: The “Jackson Magnolia” is a Southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora), which is located on the South Grounds of the White House, on the west side of the South Portico. It is considered one of the oldest trees on the White House complex, which, according to oral history, traces its roots back to the era of President Andrew Jackson. Over the years, it has been carefully maintained, including the addition of structural support efforts, but its condition has declined beyond recovery. For more information, click here.

Official White House Photos by Andrea Hanks

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