Agatha Christie’s oak collapses in heatwave
A HISTORIC tree which Agatha Christie loved to sit under has collapsed in the heatwave.
The oak at Barton Cricket Club in Torquay, Devon, is named after the crime novelist, pictured, who enjoyed watching matches from beneath it.
On Tuesday half of the tree collapsed overnight and the remaining part was condemned with disease. It is being removed for public safety.
Torbay Council said it has worked with the cricket club to try to preserve the tree, which is now roped off in the club car park. A replacement tree is expected to be planted.
Adam Latham, club secretary, said the tree was a favourite summer spot to sit for Christie, who was born 200 yards from the club. He told the BBC: ‘There were concerns about a couple of fungus diseases [on the tree], but the council had been fighting a losing battle. Then we had a lot of wet weather, followed by the heatwave, and it was not looking very healthy at all. It appears that the heat put paid to it.’ The council said: ‘The tree has been suffering for years with two woodrooting fungi which forms on the bark or exposed wood. ‘The decay renders the tree unsafe and we have been managing this decline but unfortunately overnight the tree failed.’