如果树可以说话，有一棵玉兰树可以讲100万个故事。它听过39位美国总统在白宫的讲话，目睹了无数国事访问来宾和复活节滚彩蛋，经历各种喜怒哀乐，战争与和平，还承受过一架飞机的撞击。
杰克逊总统1835年种下的一棵玉兰树苗早已长成参天大树。不过专家说，这棵树患了重病，必须砍掉一大部分，否则会构成安全威胁。
白宫南草坪上南面石阶附近的这棵玉兰树是白宫院内最老的树。在20美元纸币的后面可以看到它的身影。
这棵玉兰树已经由很多绳索和钢柱支撑。不过树木专家说，这棵树的木质过于脆弱，已经无法支撑。一场暴风，甚至总统直升机旋翼的风都有可能把它吹跨，甚至造成人员伤亡。
白宫发言人说，第一夫人梅拉尼亚要求保留一部分树干，可能会在原来的地方重新栽种。
If trees could talk, this one would have a million stories to tell – eavesdropping on the conversations of 39 U.S. presidents, watching over state visits and Easter egg rolls, witnessing joy and sorrow, war and peace and even surviving being hit by an airplane.
But experts say the huge magnolia tree President Andrew Jackson planted as a seedling in 1835 is sick and a safety hazard and a large portion will have to be cut down.
Hovering over the South Lawn near the second story South Portico, it is the oldest tree on White House grounds. Its portrait can be seen on the back of the U.S. $20 bill.
The tree has been propped up by cables and steel pole. But arborists say its wood is too delicate to withstand any efforts to hold it up. A bad storm strong wind, or even wind from the presidential helicopter could bring it down, with perhaps deadly results.
A White House spokeswoman says First Lady Melania Trump has asked that parts of the tree be preserved and possibly re-planted in the same spot.