However, the municipal council issued a statement on Friday saying the ancient tree, which stands in the museum’s courtyard, would be felled due to safety reasons.
The tree, also known as “Fagus sylvatica f. purpurea”, was planted around 260-300 years ago and stands 24 metres high. A 2010 inspection of the tree revealed an infestation of the fungal species Ganoderma, which attacks the wood at a deep level. Further analysis in 2013, 2016 and 2021 found that the tree had rapidly decayed and judged that it could pose a safety risk.
