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L.A.’s George Harrison Tree Killed by Beetles

Jul 22, 2014  •  Post A Comment

The irony has not been lost on the media after a tree dedicated to the memory of former Beatle George Harrison was killed by … wait for it … beetles.

The Los Angeles Times, in its Pop & Hiss music blog, reports: "In the truth is stranger than fiction department, Los Angeles Councilman Tom LaBonge, whose district includes Griffith Park, told Pop & Hiss over the weekend that the pine tree planted in 2004 near Griffith Observatory in memory of George Harrison will be replanted shortly because the original tree died as the result of an insect infestation.

"Yes, the George Harrison Tree was killed by beetles."

Harrison, who died in 2001, spent his last days in Los Angeles, the piece notes, adding that the musician was an avid gardener.

"Except for the loss of tree life, Harrison likely would have been amused at the irony," the story notes. "He once said his biggest break in life was getting into the Beatles; his second biggest was getting out."

After being planted as a sapling in 2004, the Harrison Tree had grown to more than 10 feet tall. The memorial includes a plaque at the base of the tree designating it as The George Harrison Tree.

"LaBonge said the tree beetle onslaught was too much for the tree. Trees in Griffith Park have occasionally been the victims of bark beetles and ladybug beetles, among other tree-unfriendly creatures," the story adds.

Among the media reports pointing out the irony of the tree's fate, a headline in The American Spectator reads: 'Beetles Don't Necessarily Like the Beatles (Especially George)." The article adds: "So yes we have a Beetle on Beatle crime."

A replanting is in the works, but a date has not yet been set.

george harrison tree-plaque.jpg

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