Anne Frank's Tree

25 Aug 2010 - Last Monday the tree behind the Amsterdam house where Anne Frank wrote her famous diary during the second World War was toppled in a rare August storm. Anne wrote movingly about the tree in her diary, as it was one of the few opportunities for her to be in touch with nature and notice the changing seasons. The Anne Frank Foundation immediately called the toppling a "drama" and others also regretted the collapse of one of Holland most famous trees. In 2007 plans to cut the tree had to be shelved after widespread protests from the community, who wanted the tree to be protected. Three years later the tree has not lost its appeal, because immediately after the news of its tragic end Twitter was buzzing with comments. More strikingly, the commercial site "Marktplaats" immediately posted commercials offering pieces of the famous tree for sale. "The one's death is another man's bread", as we say in Dutch.