Construction crews at the White House have begun removing a large tree on the South Lawn as part of an ongoing project to build a presidential ballroom. The work, which started on Tuesday, involves cutting down trees, removing shrubs, and excavating parts of the lawn. Details about the $200 million, 90,000-square-foot structure remain unclear, with no architectural plans or location disclosed. Officials have not specified how many trees will be removed. Earlier this year, a magnolia tree planted by President Donald Trump to honor Andrew Jackson was removed due to safety concerns after reaching the end of its lifespan. A sapling of the same tree was planted on April 8, 2025, continuing the tradition.