Tales from the Trail

Obama plants a piece of New Jersey on White House lawn

October 28, 2009

Kind of a quiet day at the White House today. Hey, why not plant a tree?

OBAMA/President Obama was on hand for a commemorative tree planting on the White House front lawn.

There’s always a good tale behind these things and here’s this one: Benjamin Harrison planted a Scarlet Oak tree in the same spot in 1889. There it stood through good times and bad, triumph and tragedy, rain and shine, and, well, you get the idea.

Then it rotted straight through and tumped over in a 2007 rainstorm. George W. Bush planted a Scarlet Oak in the same spot as a replacement in 2008, but it didn’t take hold.

Thus came Obama with a Little Leaf Linden tree donated from Halka Nurseries Millstone Township, New Jersey.

It’s supposed to be a sturdier tree so maybe this one will take root. We hope so, because in Washington, if you want a friend, get a tree. Wait a second, that doesn’t sound right.

Click here for more Reuters political coverage

Photo credit: Reuters/Jim Young (Obama plants commemorative tree at White House)

Comments

Is this about Corzine?

Posted by Camron Barth | Report as abusive
 

W have a linden tree, it is a nice tree and smells wonderful when it blooms in the spring.Paul

 

I think someone told Obama it was a money tree. After all he and Congress think money grows on trees don’t they.

Posted by Little Sprout | Report as abusive
 

It’s a Tilia cordata tree!

Posted by Camron Barth | Report as abusive
 

It can grow up to 70 feet!

Posted by Camron Barth | Report as abusive
 

Post Your Comment

We welcome comments that advance the story through relevant opinion, anecdotes, links and data. If you see a comment that you believe is irrelevant or inappropriate, you can flag it to our editors by using the report abuse links. Views expressed in the comments do not represent those of Reuters. For more information on our comment policy, see http://blogs.reuters.com/fulldisclosure/2010/09/27/toward-a-more-thoughtful-conversation-on-stories/