Winter storm fells US President George Washington's tree at Mount Vernon estate, Virginia

March 7, 2018 Friday's major winter storm over the northeastern United States claimed a 227-year-old tree on the estate of the first US President, , in. As of yesterday, officials overseeing the Mount Vernon estate indicated the has been collected for preservation and special projects.

The hemlock, planted in 1791, was toppled by the gusts reportedly up to 70 (about 110 ) on Friday.

Mount Vernon was Washington's personal estate, where he conducted most of his two presidential terms between 1789–1797 because the initial White House was not completed yet. According to Mount Vernon officials, the hemlock is the best documented tree at the estate, sent by New York Governor as a gift delivered in a whisky barrel. The New York governor is not related to the 42nd President, however George Clinton would later become the United States's Vice President under the and  administrations between 1805–1812.

Other US historic trees recently fallen include the seventh President 's at the White House and the   in California's  known for the car-sized tunnel cut into the trunk.