Sapling given to Trump by Macron missing from White House lawn: report

The sapling gifted to President Trump by French President Emmanuel Macron has disappeared from the White House lawn less than a week after the two men planted it there, according to multiple media reports.

The two leaders planted the tree on the White House’s South Lawn on Monday during Macron’s state visit. Photos posted by the BBC show that the tree is gone and only a yellow patch of grass remains.

{mosads}

The sapling came from the site of a World War I battle during which nearly 2,000 U.S. soldiers were killed.

Macron had tweeted that the tree “will be a reminder at the White House of these ties that bind us.”

100 years ago, American soldiers fought in France, in Belleau to defend our freedom. This oak tree (my gift to @realDonaldTrump) will be a reminder at the White House of these ties that bind us. pic.twitter.com/AUdVncaKRN

— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) April 24, 2018

The French version of HuffPost, quoting an unnamed source, reported that the tree is intact and is under quarantine rules imposed by U.S. Customs.

The policy requires that plants imported into the U.S. be quarantined for a period of time to avoid spreading diseases or importing species of invasive insects.

Macron and Trump were joined by their wives for a photo-op during the tree’s planting.