Let It Be (Eaten): George Harrison Memorial Tree killed by ravenous beetles

Harrison’s home in Kinfauns, looking right manicured

A tree planted in former Beatle George Harrison’s memory has been chopped down because hungry beetles, deciding that all things must pass, had gnawed it from the inside out.

The tree was not a Norwegian wood, but was instead a pine. Planted in 2004 in Los Angeles’ Griffin Park, it, sadly, did not live to be 64.

But Griffin Park–though hardly an Octopus’ Garden–was near Harrison’s home at the end of his life. The musician moved to Los Angeles and lived quietly in later years.

Harrison himself was no stranger to gardening. Fond of noting when the sun was coming, he crafted a 36-acre garden at his home in Kinfauns, which he employed ten people to maintain.

According to Los Angeles Councilman Tom LaBonge, whose district includes Griffith Park, the park has seen infestation of bark beetles and tree beetles from time to time.

LaBonge didn’t even bother to ask if people wanted to know a secret, though, before noting that the tree would be replanted at a future date.

Have a favorite Beatle memory you’d like to share? Alternately: have a favorite Beatle / beetle pun you want people to know about? Share and pun away in the comments section below.