To some people, it was on their bucket list to visit. For others, it was an iconic image from one of the greatest films of all time.
But as nature decreed, the 200 year old oak tree from Shawshank Redemption has been removed after falling in high winds last year.
The tree, located in north-central Ohio, had initially been damaged by lightning five years ago, but finally met its end last July.
Lee Tasseff, president of the Mansfield/Richland County Convention Bureau told weather.com: “It’s sad for the millions of folks who have an emotional connection to the movie, but particularly those that really identify with the tree as a symbol of hope.”
Now, the tree has been cut up and hauled away with rumours abounding that the owner of the property on which it stood, Dan Dees, may turn some of it into a table.
Too soon, guys. Rest in piece(s), tree.
Lest we forget that it was during the finest 2 hours and 22mins of 1994 that the sweet sweet magic of Morgan Freeman’s narrative talent was first brought to the big screen - and it was only last week he appeared on the Graham Norton Show and gave a grand re-vamping to his iconic role.
In good old internet fashion, the people of Twitter have taken it upon themselves to express their sorrow.
I wish I could tell you all that the tree fought the good fight against the cruelty of the weather, and was still proudly standing now. I wish I could tell you that - but nature is no fairytale world.
Still, it’ll probably be a nice table.
