Anne Frank Tree, Heritage tree in Amsterdam-Centrum, Netherlands
This white horse chestnut grew in the courtyard garden of Keizersgracht 188 and was visible from the attic of the rear annex. It reached such a height that its branches extended well above the surrounding walls, offering hidden inhabitants a view toward the sky.
From July 1942 to August 1944, a young diarist watched this tree through an uncovered attic window. It provided her with one of the few connections to nature and the rhythm of seasons during years of hiding.
Young descendants now grow at memorials and schools in more than ten countries, where they remind people of the power of hope. Visitors often use these sites for quiet reflection, especially when thinking about persecution and resilience.
The original tree fell during a storm in 2010, but its descendants continue growing in memorial gardens worldwide. Visitors can see saplings in the Anne Frank House courtyard and at other commemorative sites.
In the diary pages, this tree appears only three times, yet those brief mentions became one of the most recognized symbols of hope amid oppression worldwide. Its descendants now grow on five continents, from Tokyo to Buenos Aires.
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