Anne Frank tree spared for now

A Dutch court postponed the planned felling of a legendary tree outside the Anne Frank house.

The more than century-old chestnut tree outside the Amsterdam house where the teenager hid from the Nazis had recently become diseased. The municipality had ordered it to be cut down in the interest of public safety.

But an administrative court, having heard petitions by a group of private citizens and a green lobby, issued a stay last week. The court ordered further investigation into whether the tree can be saved. — jta