Strong Winds Topple the Iconic Oak Tree From The Shawshank Redemption

No good thing ever dies

On July 22, 2016, a strong wind coming in from the south west toppled the previously injured, but iconic white oak tree at Malabar State Park in Richland County, Ohio. The tree made cinematic history when Red sought it out and made his decision to join Andy in Mexico – “to get busy living” at the end of the superb 1994 Frank Darabont film The Shawshank Redemption. The tree had been split in two during a 2011 lightning strike. The Shawshank Trail explained the history of the tree in a eulogy of sorts.

Today, July 22, 2016, The Beloved Tree Has Fallen. On July 29, 2011 high winds severed a portion of the tree. . .and today, almost 5 years later, the Shawshank Tree has come down. The trail coordinator, Jodie Snavely is on location and wants to share the news with our Shawshank Fans. It is sad to see it down, it was sad when it split, it was inevitable, but like Andy said to Red, “No good thing ever dies.” The Trail is here for those who want to make the pilgrimage to all 14 real filming locations. Come and see the tree…albeit in the ground…before it is hauled away…As always please respect that the tree sits on private property.

Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things…

via The Mansfeld News Journal

Lori Dorn
Lori Dorn

Lori is a Laughing Squid Contributing Editor based in New York City who has been writing blog posts for over a decade. She also enjoys making jewelry, playing guitar, taking photos and mixing craft cocktails.

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