George Harrison memorial tree destroyed by beetles

A tree planted in a Los Angeles park to honour the memory of Beatles guitarist and songwriter George Harrison has been destroyed - by beetles.

George Harrison, bottom right, with fellow Beatles Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney and John Lennon. Picture: Getty

According to the LA Times, the pine tree, planted in Griffith Park, became infested with insects, possibly bark beetles or ladybug beetles, which have damaged trees in the park in the past.

Standing at a height of over 10ft, the tree had been planted in 2004 according to local councillor Tom LaBonge, and will be replaced with another in due course.

A small plaque situated near the tree’s base reads: “In memory of a great humanitarian who touched the world as an artist, a musician and a gardener,” and includes a quote from Maharishi Mahesh Yogi - ‘For the forest to be green, each tree must be green.’

The Beatle bought Friar Park, a rundown mansion in England, in 1970 and spent a great many years tending to the garden, which had become overgrown and wild.

Harrison spent the last few years of his life living in Los Angeles, passing away in 2001 at the age of 58, and was cremated at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery.