Giant Tree Anne Frank Wrote About Collapses; Amsterdam Tree Falls Over in Heavy Winds

The giant chestnut tree that Anne Frank wrote about several times in her diary collapsed today (August 23, 2010) in stormy weather, according to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency website.

The tree -- more than 150 years old -- had developed a fungus that had weakened it, and it fell over in heavy wind and rain.

"It broke off like a match," a spokesman for the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam said. Fortunately, no one was injured and the Anne Frank House was not damaged by the tree collapse.

Saplings taken from the tree have been planted around the world. A sapling from the tree is expected to be planted in its place.