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Conversation 698-006

TapeTape 698StartThursday, March 30, 1972 at 5:03 PMEndThursday, March 30, 1972 at 5:07 PMTape start time01:54:25Tape end time01:58:05ParticipantsNixon, Richard M. (President);  Butterfield, Alexander P.Recording deviceOval Office
AI Summary

President Nixon and Alexander P. Butterfield met to coordinate the President's schedule and the signing of an executive order. The conversation quickly shifted to a casual inquiry regarding the status of the crab apple blossoms at the White House. Nixon requested that Butterfield investigate whether weather conditions or environmental factors had affected the blooming cycle of these trees.

Presidential schedulingExecutive OrderWhite House groundsCrab apple blossomsHorticulture
AudioNARA Description

On March 30, 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Alexander P. Butterfield met in the Oval Office of the White House at an unknown time between 5:03 pm and 5:07 pm. The Oval Office taping system captured this recording, which is known as Conversation 698-006 of the White House Tapes.

Nixon Library Finding Aid
Conversation No. 698-6

Date: March 30, 1972
Time: Unknown between 5:03 pm and 5:07 pm
Location: Oval Office

The President met with Alexander P. Butterfield.

     The President's schedule
          -Signing documents
               -Executive Order

     Crab apple blossoms
          -Zoological Gardens
          -Timing
          -Weather
          -Stephen B. Bull

Butterfield left at an unknown time before 5:07 pm.
Transcript (AI-Generated)

This transcript was generated automatically by AI and has not been reviewed for accuracy. Do not cite this transcript as authoritative. Consult the Finding Aid above for verified information.

Uh, Hugh, uh, tie it up.
Uh, he's probably out.
Uh, there's a time.
I just couldn't keep up 10 minutes.
Come on, then.
This is the rush.
You take it.
We're about ready.
You know, is it true that the bossoms don't come out on those trees when there's trouble?
Well, they only crab out the trees.
See, remember last year, they crab out the trees, the most beautiful thing.
Absolutely, the most beautiful thing I've ever seen.
They are.
They've been out this year, and they say that something's happened.
Check to see if it's a zoological garden or something.
Now, I understand that.
Maybe what happened is the weather this spring was so warm they came out too early and now they're not going to have any blossoms.
I think actually the blossoms come before the leaves.
Did Steve mention that?
One of these girls out here told me that they were out there.
It's not all that big, but I'm curious.
I'm just curious.
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