The tree that President Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron planted on the White House lawn last week is no longer there.
Macron gifted the tree to Trump as a memorial from the Belleau Wood site in France, where almost 2,000 American Marines died in a World War I battle.
The leaders planted the oak sapling Monday when Macron visited the White House.
But by the end of the week, the tree was gone.
The French say there’s a reason.
An official from Macron’s office told Reuters Sunday, the tree had been dug up because of parasites on it that could spread to others on the White House grounds. The tree will be replanted soon.
“It was actually a special favor from Trump to France to be able to plant the tree the day of the president’s visit,” the official from Macron’s office said.
“Since then, it has returned to quarantine and will soon be replanted in the White House gardens,” the official said, adding: “Don’t worry, the tree is doing very well.”
