Lang
4/4/23
A University of Iowa student is accused of damaging a famous tree on campus which was propagated from one that grew outside Anne Frank’s home.
The tree was planted in April of 2022 on the northeast corner of the Pentacrest, on the 10 block of North Clinton Street. It was propagated from the old chestnut tree that grew behind the Amsterdam annex where Anne Frank and her family hid during World War II. Although the original tree died a number of years ago at an estimated age of 170 years, it lives on through saplings that have been planted in such places as Boston Commons and Liberty Park, a site memorializing the September 11th attacks. The UI was chosen as one of only 13 sites in the United States to receive a sapling for transplant.
University of Iowa Police say 18-year-old Timothy Dietlin of Currier Hall twisted a branch off the tree just after 11:30pm on March 4th. The incident was captured on security video.
Dietlin was charged Tuesday with 4th Degree Criminal Mischief. If convicted, he faces a maximum of one year in jail.
