Trump goes after Andrew Jackson's tree

As someone who insists on recognizing the progressive, democratic nature of much of what we know as the Jacksonian era and Jacksonian movement, it drives me up the wall that the Democrats have surrendered the positive elements that Andrew Jackson symbolized to, not just the Republicans, but white supremacists.

One small, symbolic piece of vindication that shows how phony it is for plutocrat and democracy-hater Donald Trump to claim Andrew Jackson as some kind of soulmate came this week. He's taking down the magnolia tree that Jackson planted in memory of his wife Rachel, who had passed away just before Jackson became President.

Rachel Jackson

Kate Bennett and Jeremy Moorhead report for CNN (Exclusive: Iconic White House tree to be cut down 12/27/2017):

After a brutal presidential campaign in 1828, Andrew Jackson's wife, Rachel, died just days after his election; according to historians, Jackson believed the particularly divisive campaign contributed to his wife's untimely demise. When he took up residence in the White House as a widower following his inauguration, it is believed Jackson insisted on planting a sprout from Rachel's favorite magnolia tree from the couple's farm, Hermitage, in Tennessee.

That tree eventually grew into the sprawling magnolia the American public has come to know and recognize to this day. (A companion magnolia was planted on the opposite side of the South Portico years later for symmetry.) The official Jackson Magnolia has been in the background for numerous historic events, from state arrival ceremonies and Easter Egg Rolls, to thousands of photo ops, social and athletic activities, and countless Marine One departures and arrivals. Ironically, the tree stands directly behind where the press is currently penned during these occasions, now perilously close to the weakened giant.

And if Jackson symbolizes popular democracy - even popular democracy with grim faults - the fate of his and Rachel's tree may represent some grim symbolism of in itself:

In person, while the tree and its trunks appear quite normal from the front side, from the back, the massive hulk of the tree is virtually hollow, with wood chipping away, in places crumbling to the touch.

The Arboretum experts agree the rigging in place is now itself greatly compromised. According to their report, "further cabling and support of the east leader is not an option due to the fragile, almost non-existent lower trunk. There is no longer a sound foundation, and the upper portion lacks sound wood for cabling. This half of the tree is considered a hazard. The west leader, on the other hand, could possibly be saved for a time, but will eventually succumb to the same fate. In addition, the high winds resulting from frequent helicopter landings complicates the future of the limb. It may fail in an unpredictable way."

See also: Historic White House Jackson Magnolia Tree to be Cut Down US News & World Report 12/26/2017