Trump, Macron plant tree outside White House as gift from France

President Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron planted a tree outside the White House on Monday in the first ceremonial act of Macron’s state visit.

Trump and Macron piled dirt on the sapling on the South Lawn and posed for photos with their wives. The tree is a gift from Macron and his wife, French first lady Brigitte Macron. 

The European sessile oak is 4 1/2 feet tall and between five and 10 years old, according to the first lady’s office. The tree comes from Belleau Wood, the site of a battle in World War I in which more than 9,000 American soldiers died.

{mosads}The Trumps and the Macrons departed from the White House to spend the evening touring George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate, where they will have dinner.

On Tuesday morning, nearly 500 soldiers and dozens of officials will greet Macron at the White House. That will be followed by a joint press conference with Macron and Trump.

Macron will attend a state dinner on Tuesday night.

Several foreign leaders have visited the White House since Trump took office, but Macron’s will be the first official state visit. The French president said in an interview broadcast Sunday that he and Trump have developed a strong personal relationship.