>>22844949 lb
A stolen plane crashed through the "Jackson" Magnolia tree and into the White House - just below the president's private quarters - during the Clinton presidency in 1994, killing the pilot. The tree has been shored up for years by a now itself failing system of cables.
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7 yrs ago, Melania's now-disgraced spokesperson announced the "Jackson" Magnolia tree (now slated for complete removal) was going to be removed/cut back (the article said both) because it was supported by an extensive cable system and the locations securing the cables were failing.
"It stands on the west side of the South Portico, rising almost as tall as the White House itself. It stands opposite a second magnolia that subsequently was added on the other side of the portico for symmetry.
"In September 1994, a Maryland man died when the stolen plane he was piloting crashed through the magnolia tree and crumpled against the south wall of the White House, below the president’s private quarters. President Bill Clinton and his family were not in the mansion at the time.They were staying at a government guest house on the other side of Pennsylvania Avenue because of repairs at the White House.
"…the tree must be removed quickly, despite decades-long preservation efforts, including through the use of cables to help keep it upright.
"The documents read in part:
“The overall architecture and structure of the tree is greatly compromised and the tree is completely dependent on the artificial support.Without the extensive cabling system, the tree would have fallen years ago. Presently, and very concerning, the cabling system is failing on the east trunk, asa cable has pulled through the very thin layer of wood that remains. It is difficult to predict when and how many more will fail.”
https://www.reviewjournal.com/news/nation-and-world/oldest-tree-on-white-house-lawn-to-be-cut-down-removed/amp/
That was 7 years ago.