(CNN) - The so-called "bromance tree" planted by President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron is missing from White House grounds.
The gift from Macron and his wife during their high-profile visit to Washington last week has been removed from the soil.
The French ambassador to the U.S., Gerard Araud, says the tree is in quarantine.
He says the roots "were enclosed in a plastic protection," and it will be replanted.
Fake trees: oak planted by #Macron & #Trump earlier this week has mysteriously disappeared (photo: Yuri Gripas) ???? pic.twitter.com/RYFHomB4M3
— Stefan de Vries (@stefandevries) April 29, 2018
According to reports, Stephanie Grisham, spokeswoman for first lady Melania Trump, the plan was always to quarantine the tree.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection website states that upon examination certain items brought into the U.S. from foreign countries are restricted, according to the USDA.
It says that prohibited agricultural items can harbor plant pests and foreign animal diseases that could seriously damage America’s crops, livestock and the environment.
A disease, called Dutch elm disease, was first identified in the Netherlands in 1921, but has now been found in Elm trees in North America.
The disease was found in North America after furniture makers used imported European elm logs to make veneer for cabinets and tables.
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