Historic tree at Versailles planted in 1786 uprooted in storm . . .

An enormous weeping purple beech planted in 1786 for Marie Antoinette in the royal park surrounding Versailles was toppled in a windstorm in southwestern France last week.

I have read several press releases with conflicting reports of the tree's height. The numbers vary between 82 and 90 feet in height with a 72 foot span of the tree's canopy.

The park's chief gardener said the tree's roots had started to "go mouldy" and were so short that they could no longer counterbalance the giant.

Once cut up, the wood of the the tree will be sold to paper makers. What a shame! I am quite surprised that bits aren't being converted into something more meaningful than paper. I should think a furniture maker would love to have this historic lumber. Maybe the pulp will be isolated into a batch for a very special publication. Let's hope so!