Shawshank tree facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Shawshank tree |
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Shawshank tree in 2013
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| Species | White oak (Quercus alba) |
| Location | Monroe Township, Richland County, Ohio, U.S. |
| Coordinates | 40°39′14″N 82°23′31″W / 40.65400°N 82.39195°W |
| Date seeded | c. 1836 |
| Date felled | July 22, 2016 |
The Shawshank tree was a very famous white oak tree. It grew near Malabar Farm State Park in Ohio, United States. This tree became well-known because it was in the 1994 movie The Shawshank Redemption.
The tree was about 100 feet (30 meters) tall. It was also very old, around 180 to 200 years old. The Shawshank tree was important to the movie's story. It also became a popular place for tourists to visit. Sadly, lightning hit the tree on July 29, 2011. Then, strong winds knocked it down around July 22, 2016.
Why Was This Tree Special?
The Shawshank tree was a big attraction for fans of the movie. Even though it was on private land at Malabar Farm, many people came to see it. It was part of "The Shawshank Trail." This trail includes many famous places from the movie. About 35,000 visitors come to the trail each year.
On July 29, 2011, half of the tree fell. This happened after lightning struck it. The tree also had rot from ants inside its trunk. News about the tree falling spread quickly around the world. People were not sure if the tree would survive, but it did stay alive for a while.
In July 2016, strong winds damaged the tree even more. This event made many people search online for "The Shawshank Trail." The rest of the tree was cut down on April 9, 2017. Parts of the tree were then made into souvenirs. These included small rock hammers and magnets. They were sold at the "Shawshank Hustle" race. This race happens every year and goes past filming locations.
Its Big Role in the Movie
The movie The Shawshank Redemption is set in Maine. However, much of it was filmed in Mansfield, Ohio, and nearby areas. The famous oak tree appears at the end of the film.
In the movie, a character named Red (played by Morgan Freeman) follows clues. These clues were left by his friend, Andy Dufresne (played by Tim Robbins). Red finds a box buried at the bottom of a stone wall. This wall was in the shade of the big oak tree. Inside the box, Red finds a letter from Andy. There is also money to buy a bus ticket. Andy wants Red to join him in Mexico.
In the film, Andy describes the tree as being "like something out of a Robert Frost poem." Many people say this oak tree is one of the most famous trees in movie history.
