The Shawshank Redemption tree has fallen down

'Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things'

You probably don’t need any more reason to feel sad and disappointed given the current political climate, but alas, the oak tree from The Shawshank Redemption, that great symbol of hope, has blown down in heavy winds.

The tree was part of a key plot point in the classic movie - still the highest rated film ever on IMDb - Red (Morgan Freeman) travelling to it to discover a note left by his friend Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) telling him to head to Zihuatanejo in Mexico.

“Remember, Red,” the note said. “Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies.”

Thousands had been visiting the tree, located in Lucas, Ohio, every year, but unfortunately in 2011 it grew rotten.

It has now fallen, leaving fans aghast.

Here's the tree in better days:

(Photo: Mansfield/Richland County Convention & Visitors Bureau)

It remains to be seen what will happen to its great trunk, but an official with the Mansfield/Richland Convention and Visitors Bureau told the New York Times it will probably be removed as the area around it is farmed.

“The tree symbolises hope [to its visitors],” Jodie Snavely added. “When they can actually come and see that, it’s very touching to them, and it means a lot to them.”

As curious film tourist spots go, the tree was up there with the Goonies house, Tony Soprano’s booth and the Good Will Hunting bench.