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Alan Greenblatt, NPR

Tree planted to honor Beatle killed by beetles

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A tree planted in Los Angeles to honor former Beatle George Harrison grew to more than 12 feet tall before succumbing to a bark beetle infestation
A tree planted in Los Angeles to honor former Beatle George Harrison grew to more than 12 feet tall before succumbing to a bark beetle infestation

Flowers may grow so incredibly high, as the Beatles once sang, but trees — not so much.

Actually, a pine tree planted in Los Angeles a decade ago to honor former Beatle George Harrison reached a height of 12 feet before succumbing recently.

To an infestation. Of beetles.

"No one I think is in my tree" — a line from the song "Strawberry Fields Forever" — wouldn't seem to apply.

"Trees in Griffith Park have occasionally been the victims of bark beetles and ladybug beetles, among other tree-unfriendly creatures," the Los Angeles Times reports.

A plaque at the base of the tree commemorates Harrison not only as a leading musician, but as an artist and avid gardener.

Tom LaBonge, a member of the Los Angeles City Council, said a tree will be replanted in its place, even though Harrison titled his 1970 album All Things Must Pass. Copyright 2019 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.