A Very Special Leaf

Back in 2016 my wife and I went on holiday to the USA.  One day in July we visited Washington DC and went to see the Whitehouse -

I spoke to an officer who explained that the view of the Whitehouse we were looking at was the rear of the Whitehouse. It is where the Helicopter lands – But if we go up past the Treasury building, make a left you will come to the front of the Whitehouse.

I asked him if we’d be in time for breakfast? He said, “Sorry you’re out of luck today – the family are away - up in Chicago”  We thanked him and headed off in the direction he pointed. We stood outside the front of the Whitehouse taking it all in.
Again, a huge presence of Police and Secret Service Agents.

I asked one of the Police Officers if he thought this might be Donald Trump’s new home? He replied: “It’ll always be the Whitehouse who ever lives in it”. A fantastic answer I thought.

A little later as we decided to head back to our accommodation - I asked another Officer at one of the gates - would he help me with an odd request? He did.. He walked back into the property and as he handed to me what he picked from a tree - said I must be the only ever person in the world to ask for a living leaf to be picked from a tree growing on the White House Property.

Upon arriving back to New Zealand - I declared that I had the leaf in my possession to the New Zealand Agriculture/Airport Control - The officer inspected it and I was allowed to bring it through.

Now a framed memory.. ( any ideas as to what type of leaf ??

Could you post a picture of the leaf with a ruler next to it? It would help I.D. the tree. I think it is not a maple (Acer Sp.) or Oak (Quercus Sp.).

Looks to me that it could be from the Saucer Magnolia tree. There are several on the White House grounds. I haven't been to the North Lawn in decades, so I'm not sure how close a Saucer Magnolia is to the gate.

Trev Kinship wrote:Could you post a picture of the leaf with a ruler next to it? It would help I.D. the tree. I think it is not a maple (Acer Sp.) or Oak (Quercus Sp.).

Ruler shows just over 5 inches and leaf has turned light brown since. Of course we keep the picture frame out of direct light..

I need more information about the tree the leaf came from. Like the way the leafs are attached and if the tree has flowers. I have been using this website https://www.arborday.org/trees/index-identification.cfm to help in finding the tree.

I'm not sure what type of leaf that is, but it is a very cool story and great way of preserving the memory.  Thanks for sharing!