Famous 'Anne Frank tree' has fallen

Due to strong wind, the famous 'Anne Frank tree' has come down.

The Anne Frank tree is a chestnut tree, that stands in a private garden behind the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam. Anne Frank has described the tree several times in her diary, as she could see the tree from her hiding place.

Back in 2007, the city wanted to cut down the tree, because the tree was ill. This resulted in a lot of resistance from citizens, who wanted to preserve the tree.

Court cases followed, and the issue raised in a lot of interest in the press, in and outside the Netherlands. The tree had its own webcam. For a while at least, the Anne Frank tree was the most famous tree in the world.

In the end, after months of debate, it was decided that a special metal construction would be made to support the tree. The construction was made in 2008, and was supposed to be able to hold the tree for at least 10 years.

It was not to be. It lasted until yesterday - with a loud noise the tree came down. The stem of the tree has broken, so this is the definite end of the Anne Frank tree.

It does not mean the tree will not live on. Many chestnuts have of the tree have been planted, all over the world.

The owner of the tree (not the Anne Frank House, but one of the neighbours) will decide later whether or not he will plant a new tree in his garden.