‘Shawshank’ tree knocked down by wind

Associated Press

MANSFIELD, Ohio

An Ohio tree that became a popular attraction for its role in the movie “The Shawshank Redemption” has fallen.

Jodie Snavely, of the Mansfield and Richland County Convention and Visitors Bureau, says high winds last week apparently downed the tree, which had split during a storm in 2011. The bureau was informed Friday about the downed tree.

The tree is featured in one of the final scenes of the 1994 film. The movie, based on a novella by author Stephen King, stars Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman. It’s underneath the tree that Freeman’s character finds an important letter buried by Robbins’ character.

The tree sits on private property, but fans could view it as part of a series of places in north-central Ohio related to the film.