First lady Melania Trump did some tree trimming over the Christmas holidays at the White House.

A large portion of a nearly 200-year-old tree on the South Lawn planted by President Andrew Jackson in memory of his wife, Rachel, was removed because parts of it were decaying and posed a safety risk.

Workers trimmed the magnolia tree early Wednesday as President Trump and his family vacationed at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, said Stephanie Grisham, a spokeswoman for Melania Trump.

The first lady approved of the tree-trimming plan after she reviewed reports about the tree from experts and the White House staff, Grisham said.

Melania Trump was concerned that visitors to the White House or journalists who often stand in front of the tree, which was being supported by cables, during
events could be injured.

She opted for the tree, nearly as tall as the White House, to be trimmed instead of completely removed.

She also asked for the trimmed wood to be preserved and the seedlings conserved in case a new tree can be planted.

Former first daughter Chelsea Clinton praised the first lady for not felling the entire tree.

“Thank you to all the Chief Horticulturists and everyone from the National Park Service who have taken care of the beautiful grounds of the @WhiteHouse over the years. Thank you @FLOTUS for preserving part of a tree I & so many have treasured,” Clinton wrote on Twitter.

With Post wires​