George Harrison memorial tree killed by beetles

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- The George Harrison memorial tree near the Griffith Observatory has died after being infested by bark beetles.

Beatle band member George Harrison died in Los Angeles in 2001. He was a music legend, a messenger of peace and an avid gardener.

The city planted a pine tree in Harrison's honor in 2002 at the foot of the Mount Hollywood Hiking Trail near the Griffith Observatory.

"I love George Harrison so I thought it was important to have a community event to celebrate his life," City Councilman Tom LaBonge said.

It was a place where nature lovers like Harrison could reflect and remember.

"He made wonderful music, I can remember that, being a drummer, from what I can remember of the '60s, it was great," Sky Foster of Bellflower said.

Russell Mackay of Lincoln Heights also shares Foster's fond memories.

"When I think of George Harrison, I think of the Beatles, I think of peace, I think of John Lennon, and just happiness, fun times, good times, just growing up with his music as a kid, my parents loved The Beatles," Mackay said.

Fighting brutal heat and drought, the tree succumbed to a bark beetle infestation.

"A bark beetle came and attacked it and sucked all the water out of it," LaBonge said.

A lonely stump is all that remains of the pine tree, but fans say Harrison's legacy is going strong.

A new tree will be replanted in the fall.

For now, a small plaque at the base commemorates the legendary guitarist and songwriter, reminding everyone that: "For the forest to be green, each tree must be green."