White House mystery: Where is Macron's gifted oak tree?

Melania Trump and Brigitte Macron watch as US President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron plant an oak sapling at the White House on April 23. Photo / AP

A mystery is brewing at the White House about what happened to the oak tree President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron planted there last week.

The sapling was a gift from Macron on the occasion of his state visit.

This photo from Saturday shows an empty area where a tree was briefly in residence. Photo / AP

News photographers snapped away last week when Trump and Macron shovelled dirt onto the tree during a ceremonial planting on the South Lawn. By the end of the week, the tree was gone from the lawn. A pale patch of grass was left in its place.

The White House hasn't offered an explanation.

The oak sprouted at a World War I battle site that became part of US Marine Corps legend.

About 2000 US troops died in the June 1918 Battle of Belleau Wood, fighting a German offensive.

- AP