The oak tree presented to President Donald Trump by President Emmanuel Macron during his state visit to Washington this week has mysteriously disappeared.

The world watched on Monday as the two leaders dug a prime spot together in the South Lawn of the White House and planted the sapling taken from the site of a World War One battle in north-east France where 9,000 US soldiers died.

The First Lady, Melania and Mrs Brigitte Macron were also in attendance and photos of the two couples sparked considerably mockery on social media with some suggesting it appeared a body was being buried.

Mr Macron tweeted after the ceremony "this Oak Tree, my gift to @realDonaldTrump will be a reminder at the White House of these ties that bind us".

However only four days later all that remains is a yellowing patch of grass spotted by a Reuters photographer.