President Donald Trump’s plan to reshape and beautify Washington, DC, has led to the removal of dozens of mature trees from federal properties, including the White House grounds and the historic East Potomac Golf Links.
The issue has sparked debate over whether the administration’s redevelopment plans are going too far, particularly at the century-old public golf course. More than 60 trees have reportedly been removed there as part of a major redesign aimed at transforming the municipal course into a championship-level venue.
The East Potomac project is intended to create a facility capable of hosting major golf events, including the Ryder Cup, PGA Tour tournaments and potentially the US Open. The White House has said the redevelopment will modernise the public course and restore the prestige of Washington’s waterfront.
The tree removals are linked to Trump’s March 2025 executive order, “Making the District of Columbia Safe and Beautiful.” The initiative covers several prominent areas of the capital, including the White House, Lafayette Square, East Potomac Golf Links and locations around national monuments.
At the White House, mature trees around the North and South Lawns have reportedly been removed or heavily pruned. The landscaping changes are connected to expanded security measures and construction work, including plans for a new ballroom. Earlier renovation work also changed the traditional landscaping of the Rose Garden by replacing much of it with a paved patio.
Lafayette Square has also become part of the wider redevelopment plans. Earlier documents indicated a proposal to plant 47 maple trees, reflecting Trump’s position as the 47th US president. Implementing the plan could require the removal of some existing trees.
The changes have faced opposition from preservation groups and golfers. The DC Preservation League and others have filed lawsuits challenging the East Potomac redevelopment, arguing that it could conflict with an 1897 congressional law requiring the park to remain dedicated to public recreation. Critics have also raised concerns over whether required federal environmental reviews were properly followed.
Meanwhile, social media claims that Trump removed iconic weeping willows outside the Kennedy Center have been found to be misleading. Those trees were reportedly removed in October after reaching the end of their lifespan, with the centre historically replacing such shallow-rooted willows every 10 to 15 years.
Trump’s broader Washington makeover includes a proposed $600 million White House ballroom, work on the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, restoration of monuments and fountains, and a proposed Independence Arch. Federal estimates suggest the overall taxpayer-backed cost of the redesign could exceed $1.2 billion.
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