Washington ( CNN ) -- For more than two centuries , it stood as a silent witness to history -- the `` Arlington Oak , '' a tree that sprouted on land once owned by Robert E. Lee , and later consecrated as part of Arlington National Cemetery . Last weekend , it fell -- one more casualty of the winds and heavy rains from Hurricane Irene . `` It is truly unfortunate to see it 's now gone -- that tree had a significant legacy here at Arlington , '' said Steve Van Hoven , the cemetery 's urban forester . The Arlington Oak , estimated to be 220 years old , stood by in stoic silence as a nation 's history spread out nearby , as the acres filled with the graves of veterans , dignitaries , presidents and the fallen from war after war . For nearly half a century it shaded the area near the graves of members of the Kennedy family who were buried only yards below a slope that leads up to Lee 's Arlington House mansion overlooking the Potomac River . According to Arlington National Cemetery , the oak was most known for the role it played in the selection of the grave site for President John F. Kennedy . Kennedy is said to have visited Arlington House -- now a national memorial -- in the spring of 1963 and said the view was so magnificent that he could stay there forever . The Arlington Oak was part of that view . In addition to the Arlington Oak , five other large trees were lost to Irene , including a white oak estimated to be 240 years old , according to the cemetery . Crews have been working since the storm passed to clear debris left from broken branches and smaller trees that were uprooted . It took several days to cut and clean up the trunk and branches of the majestic oak , according to the cemetery .
The ` ` Arlington Oak '' was said to be 220 years old . It shaded the area near the graves of Kennedy family members . John Kennedy is said to have visited the area in 1963 and was impressed with the view . The Arlington Oak was part of that view .