Anne Frank tree dies

In the early afternoon of 23 August strong winds adn rain caused the chestnut tree at the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam to fall down. Although the tree was diseased it was expected to have decades left standing with a steel support holding it up.

Maatje Mostart who works at the Anne Frank House said "Someone yelled, 'It's falling. The tree is falling,' and then we heard it go down. Luckily no one was hurt."

In 2007 the tree was going to be felled because of the disease causing it to rot. However it was settled in an Amsterdam court that it should be allowed to remain as part of the Anne Frank House.

Since then Anne Frank saplings have been planted around the globe including the USA, Holland and here in Britain. The Anne Frank Trust were given 10 saplings which have been planted in locations across the UK.

In addition to these 10 saplings the Trust has been running an Anne Frank Tree planting programme encouraging parks, schools, colleges, hospitals and any community or private areas, to plant a tree in memory of Anne Frank.

Anne loved nature and she often wrote about the tree and how it gave those in hiding hope and a connection to the outside world.

On 23 February 1944 Anne wrote "As long as this exists, I know that there will be solace for every sorrow, whatever the circumstances. I firmly believe that nature can bring comfort to all who suffer." 

13 May 1944 "The two of us looked out at the blue sky, the bare chestnut tree glistening with dew, the seagulls and other birds glinting with silver as they swooped through the air, and we were so moved and entranced that we couldn’t speak." 

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