Eisenhower Tree facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Eisenhower Tree
The Eisenhower Tree in 2011
Eisenhower Tree Location in Georgia (U.S. state)
Species	Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda)
Location	Augusta, Georgia
Coordinates	33°30′N 82°01′W / 33.5°N 82.02°W / 33.5; -82.02
Date seeded	c. 1889
Date felled	February 2014 (2014-02)
Custodian	Augusta National Golf Club

The Eisenhower Tree was a famous loblolly pine tree. It grew on the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia. This tree was named after Dwight D. Eisenhower, who was a U.S. President. He tried to have the tree cut down because it got in the way of his golf game!

Because it was so big and important, the Eisenhower Tree became a symbol of the Augusta golf course. Many people called it one of the most famous trees in American golf. Cindy Boren from The Washington Post called it "among the most famous landmarks in golf." Martin Dempster of The Scotsman said it was "arguably the most famous tree in golf." Sadly, in February 2014, a big ice storm badly damaged the tree. It had to be removed.

What Was the Eisenhower Tree?

The Tree's Size and Location

The Eisenhower Tree was a native loblolly pine. It stood about 65 feet (20 m) tall. It was also wider than most trees of its kind. The tree was located on the 17th hole at the Augusta National Golf Club. It was about 210 yards (190 m) from the Masters tee. It sat on the left side of the fairway. Experts believed the tree was between 100 and 125 years old when it died.

How the Tree Got Its Name

President Eisenhower was a member of the Augusta National Golf Club. He spent a lot of time there playing golf. In November 1952, when he was President-elect, he even had a secret meeting at the club. This meeting was about important nuclear matters.

Eisenhower loved the club, but he often hit the tree on the 17th fairway. He hit it so many times that in 1956, he suggested cutting it down. The club's chairman, Clifford Roberts, did not want to upset the President. So, he quickly ended the meeting instead of saying no. From that day on, the tree was linked to President Eisenhower.

Famous Golf Moments

The Tree's Role in the Masters Tournament

The Eisenhower Tree played a big part in the yearly Masters Tournament. This is a very famous golf competition. One year, the tree was involved in a strange event. Golfer Tommy Aaron hit a shot off the 17th tee. His ball went into the tree and could not be found. This was called the "Lost Ball Incident." He was given a free drop. The next day, Aaron said the ball fell out of the tree while he was playing the 17th hole again. Famous golfer Jack Nicklaus later said, "I'm not sure I believe it."

In 1999, the golf course was changed to be more challenging. People worried the tree would block players. But it turned out not to be a problem for most golfers.

Tiger Woods' Injury

In 2011, famous golfer Tiger Woods was playing a shot. He was underneath the Eisenhower Tree. He slipped on some pine needles. This caused him to hurt his left knee and Achilles tendon. These injuries kept him from playing golf until August 2011. His world ranking in golf dropped a lot because of this.

The Tree's Removal

Why the Tree Was Taken Down

In February 2014, the Eisenhower Tree was removed. It had been badly damaged by a major ice storm. Billy Payne, the chairman of Augusta National, said, "The loss of the Eisenhower Tree is difficult news to accept." He explained that they got advice from the best tree experts. They were told that the tree could not recover. The storm happened just two months before the Masters Tournament. A piece of the tree was given to the Eisenhower Presidential Library in Abilene, Kansas. It is now on display there.

Tributes to the Tree

Many people were sad about losing the tree. Jack Nicklaus said, "The Eisenhower Tree is such an iconic fixture and symbol of tradition at Augusta National. It was such an integral part of the game and one that will be sorely missed."

There is another tree named after Eisenhower. It is at Dalmeny Golf Club in Scotland. President Eisenhower planted it during a visit to Edinburgh in 1946. When the club heard about the Augusta tree, they offered to send an acorn. This acorn could be used to plant a new oak tree.

A few yards past where the Eisenhower Tree stood, another tree had been planted years ago. This tree was also removed because of the same ice storm.