Where’s the Trump-Macron tree?

World
Europe

00:48

A tree has vanished from the lawn of the White House, prompting questions over what happened after Donald Trump and Emmanuel Macron planted the tree together on April 23.

The sampling was a gift for the French President given by the US President.

A photo published by Reuters on April 27 shows that the oak tree has disappeared, Russia Today reported.

Reasons remain unknown since there is no official statement released yet. So where is the tree?

Only a small patch of yellow grass is seen where the sapling was planted. /Reuters Photo

Autumn is the proper season to grow oak, the French-based website Franceinfo cited gardening website gerbaud.com as saying, claiming that the tree would be replanted in October.

An anonymous French official told Huffington Post that the tree is being quarantined, as the American customs are responsible for inspecting any imported plants, seeds and soil.

However, the disappeared tree has sparked speculation among Twitter users. Some backed the words from the authorities.

“I just read an article on CBS, it had insects, like a bug that was going to spread to other trees, so it's in a tree hospital,” @velvetlovevoid said.

While others thought it was just a good example illustrating the faces of politics.

“A missing symbol of French and America peace and friendship? It looks like Trump is saying, 'I really don’t care about peace, a tree symbolizing friendship or even on any level, the environment- dig it up.' Can one hear those words coming from his mouth?” posted @123knitnsew.

“The white house is losing so many staffers even the trees are leaving,” said @samthomas180.

The two men helped shovel earth onto the tree on the White House South Lawn. ‍/Reuters Photo

The oak is taken as a reminder for Trump of taking importance on environmental protection, according to the French newspaper Le Parisien. So some Twitter users supposed the gone tree represents the attitude of his attitude towards climate change.

The tree was reportedly sprouted from the Belleau Wood by the French President. The French territory is famous for being the WWI site as American warriors took part in a massive battle for the first time in 1918.

“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,” Macron wrote on his Twitter.

Macron and his wife Brigitte paid a three-day visit to the US since April 23. It was the first time for the French President to visit the US during his term. The two presidents had exchanged their views on topics including the bilateral ties, Iran nuclear, Syrian issues, as well as steel and aluminum tariffs.