White House Collection / White House Historical Association Magnolia grandifloraRemoved April 7, 2025Folklore tells us that the southern magnolia tree was planted by President Andrew Jackson with seeds brought to Washington from the Hermitage, the President’s home near Nashville, Tennessee. The seeds were planted to honor the memory of Jackson's late wife, Rachel, who had died suddenly just months prior to him assuming office. Historical photographic documentation shows that a magnolia first appeared at this location near the South Portico in the 1860s, still the tree is attributed to President Jackson. In 2006, the tree was designated as a Witness Tree by the National Park Service, having borne witness to many “significant historic and cultural events.” The base of the tree also took the brunt of a Cessna airplane crash which targeted the White House in September 1994 and was subject to significant branch removal and pruning in December 2017. Despite ongoing preservation efforts, the ‘Jackson Magnolia’, which was estimated to be over 150 years old, reached the end of its lifespan and was removed due to safety concerns on April 7, 2025. The average lifespan of a southern magnolia is one hundred years. A descendant sapling of the Andrew Jackson Commemorative Southern Magnolia was planted by President Donald Trump on April 8, 2025, continues the tradition of honoring this tree’s history while investing in the future. 
NPS / Kelsey Graczyk White HouseCommemorative Tree Plantings |
Last updated: June 18, 2025