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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/jul/18/agatha-christie-oak-hot-spell-did-it-sheltered-death
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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| The hot spell did it: death of oak that gave Agatha Christie shelter | The hot spell did it: death of oak that gave Agatha Christie shelter |
| (6 months later) | |
| An oak tree in Devon that provided shade for the crime writer Agatha Christie when she watched and scored cricket matches has collapsed in the heatwave. | An oak tree in Devon that provided shade for the crime writer Agatha Christie when she watched and scored cricket matches has collapsed in the heatwave. |
| Christie was brought up close to Barton cricket club’s ground in Torquay and used to watch her father, Frederick, play there. | Christie was brought up close to Barton cricket club’s ground in Torquay and used to watch her father, Frederick, play there. |
| The Agatha Christie Oak, as it is known locally, has become a site of pilgrimage for the author’s fans and is used by the club as its badge logo. Sadly, efforts to preserve it have failed and Torbay council announced the demise of the tree. | The Agatha Christie Oak, as it is known locally, has become a site of pilgrimage for the author’s fans and is used by the club as its badge logo. Sadly, efforts to preserve it have failed and Torbay council announced the demise of the tree. |
| “It is with great sadness that we have to report that the veteran English oak tree at Barton cricket club, known locally as the Agatha Christie Oak, has collapsed,” a spokesperson said. | “It is with great sadness that we have to report that the veteran English oak tree at Barton cricket club, known locally as the Agatha Christie Oak, has collapsed,” a spokesperson said. |
| “Unfortunately due to a large part of the tree, over 50%, falling over and the remaining section being diseased with much decay visible it will now have to be completely removed for public safety reasons.” | “Unfortunately due to a large part of the tree, over 50%, falling over and the remaining section being diseased with much decay visible it will now have to be completely removed for public safety reasons.” |
| The council added: “Working with Barton cricket club over the years we have done our very best to preserve this historical [sic] tree. Agatha Christie used to sit under this tree, watch and score her favourite summer sport of cricket. | The council added: “Working with Barton cricket club over the years we have done our very best to preserve this historical [sic] tree. Agatha Christie used to sit under this tree, watch and score her favourite summer sport of cricket. |
| “Many tree experts have admired this tree and provided technical advice. We have carried out restoration works to the canopy, removed the Tarmac around the base of the tree and created a woodland environment to help improve the tree’s health. We have also protected the tree with a fence to reduce cars parking nearby. | “Many tree experts have admired this tree and provided technical advice. We have carried out restoration works to the canopy, removed the Tarmac around the base of the tree and created a woodland environment to help improve the tree’s health. We have also protected the tree with a fence to reduce cars parking nearby. |
| “The tree has been suffering for years with two wood-rooting fungi which forms on the bark or exposed wood. These decay fungi are among the most damaging of diseases, particularly in older trees. The decay renders the tree unsafe and we have been managing this decline but unfortunately the tree failed.” | “The tree has been suffering for years with two wood-rooting fungi which forms on the bark or exposed wood. These decay fungi are among the most damaging of diseases, particularly in older trees. The decay renders the tree unsafe and we have been managing this decline but unfortunately the tree failed.” |
| Jim Parker, the club chairman, said the dry weather and heat may have been the last straw. “It’s a shame,” he said. “It’s on our club badge so it’s an important landmark for us.” | Jim Parker, the club chairman, said the dry weather and heat may have been the last straw. “It’s a shame,” he said. “It’s on our club badge so it’s an important landmark for us.” |
| The club is keen for a new tree to be planted, and is also hoping to use some of the wood to create a memorial – perhaps a bench – to Christie and the tree. | The club is keen for a new tree to be planted, and is also hoping to use some of the wood to create a memorial – perhaps a bench – to Christie and the tree. |
| Agatha Christie | Agatha Christie |
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