Anne Frank's tree to be cut down

[Ban Hammer 13,333]

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands - The ancient chestnut tree that comforted Anne Frank while she was in hiding during the Nazi occupation of Holland must be cut down, the Amsterdam city council said Tuesday.

The diseased tree in the courtyard behind the canal-side warehouse where the Frank family took refuge for more than two years has been attacked by an aggressive fungus and a moth, called the horse chestnut leaf miner. Experts estimate the tree's age at 150-170 years.

The chestnut is familiar to some 25 million readers of "The Diary of Anne Frank." Anne often looked at it longingly from the attic, the only window that was not blacked out to prevent anyone seeing movement inside the apartment in the rear of the warehouse on Prinsengracht street where the Frank family hid.

The Jewish teenager made several references to it in the diary that she kept during the 25 months she remained indoors until the family was arrested in August 1944.

The tree's condition has rapidly deteriorated in recent years, the city said. The inner wood is rotten and the dying roots and bark are not regenerating.

"It's very sad, but the decision has been taken," said Patricia Bosboom, spokeswoman of the Anne Frank House museum. "It's one of the oldest chestnut trees in Amsterdam."

It will take several weeks before the city issues the required license to fell the tree.

The museum, where the tiny apartment has been preserved, said grafts already have been taken and a sapling from the original chestnut will replace the once-towering tree.

"Nearly every morning I go to the attic to blow the stuffy air out of my lungs," Anne wrote on Feb. 23, 1944. "From my favorite spot on the floor I look up at the blue sky and the bare chestnut tree, on whose branches little raindrops shine, appearing like silver, and at the seagulls and other birds as they glide on the wind. ...

"As long as this exists, I thought, and I may live to see it, this sunshine, the cloudless skies, while this lasts I cannot be unhappy."

Anne Frank died of typhus in the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in March 1945.

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[almaty 19]

f##k her..she is dead

i wanted to beat brother arijit to the punch

Edited November 14, 2006 by almaty

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

They will sell parts of the tree in the gift shop as you finish the tour. Yes, there is a gift shop. The Anne Frank house is a nice distraction from the drugs and prostitution.

[Reba 2]

still a shame. I like trees. Squirrels like the chesnuts I expect too.

[Mrs. Forgetful 2]

Oh this is sad news. Poor tree.

[eric&gen 0]

Good for fire wood on a cold rainy winter morning

Edited November 14, 2006 by eric&gen

[Saddle Bronc 124]

still a shame. I like trees. Squirrels like the chesnuts I expect too.

At least the sapling will continue the life (and maybe the memory)

[I'm Gone 60]

Slow news day?

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

this is the news you get when gupt has the day off

[AnaAndDaniel 0]

this is the news you get when gupt has the day off

charles tries hard.

Daniel

:energetic:

[mawilson 2,133]

Gupt is not here today?

[almaty 19]

Gupt is not here today?

he pm me..has a bad case of the shits...ate to many white castles last night..wait a minute, that was me..sorry nevermind

Edited November 14, 2006 by almaty

[AnaAndDaniel 0]

Gupt is not here today?

he pm me..has a bad case of the shits...ate to many white castles last night..wait a minute, that was me..sorry nevermind

immodium is your friend.

Daniel

:energetic:

[almaty 19]

Gupt is not here today?

he pm me..has a bad case of the shits...ate to many white castles last night..wait a minute, that was me..sorry nevermind

immodium is your friend.

Daniel

:energetic:

damn straight daniel-san..i knew i should not have put all that haberno sauce on them

[AnaAndDaniel 0]

Gupt is not here today?

he pm me..has a bad case of the shits...ate to many white castles last night..wait a minute, that was me..sorry nevermind

immodium is your friend.

Daniel

:energetic:

damn straight daniel-san..i knew i should not have put all that haberno sauce on them

yeah, that is a potent combo. but worth it right?

Daniel

:energetic: