Exciting news for all Beatle fans in the area! A George Harrison memorial tree will be planted in Griffith Park this today (the 25th) to replace the one that, funny enough, succumbed to a beetle infestation (perhaps a bad case of Beatle fever?). The original tree was planted in 2004.
There will be a lovely ceremony, headed by Councilman Tom LaBonge. It will take place at the Charlie Turner Trailhead, right by Griffith Observatory, to honor the Beatle’s lead guitarist. The new tree will be a yew pine, replacing the original Canary Island pine tree. Chris Carter, a local DJ with KLSX, will be emcee the entire ceremony. Chris Carter is a particularly perfect choice, as he deejays KLSX’S “Breakfast with the Beatles” morning show. It is the hope that this tree will survive for many more decades, unlike the one it is replacing.
The ceremony will take place on what would have been George Harrison’s birthday, he would have been seventy-two this year. A plaque near the tree reads, “In memory of a great humanitarian who touched the world as an artist, a musician, and gardener”. It also includes one of Harrison’s famous quotes, “For the forests to be green, each tree must be green”.
As Harrison said, “With our love, we could save the world”. It is clear that even though it is simply one tree, Beatle’s fans will not let it succumb. Instead of leaving an empty space and one less tree in the park, it will be replaced by a sturdier tree and hopefully an emphasis on beetle prevention. Though Harrison passed away in 2001, it is clear his message and impact is still felt in today’s world. Harrison, and the love he has taught, and continues to teach, all his fans will live on with his memory, and the tree in Griffith Park. Though it may seem arbitrary, this tree is truly a monument of love, nature, and community.
The George Harrison Memorial Tree acts as a symbol of peace, tranquility, and, most importantly, Harrison’s creative spirit. Like Harrison’s ever-relevant chords, it seems his tree memorial in Griffith Park will continue to keep inspiring Beatle’s fans for generations to come.