Old Linden Tree in Strasbourg Must Be Cut Down
Listen to the story
A famous linden tree in Strasbourg, France, will soon be cut down.
The tree was planted in 1929, so it is almost 100 years old.
It is one of the most well-known trees in the city, and many residents consider it emblematic.
City officials have decided it must be removed because it is badly damaged.
They say this is the only possible decision when a tree is seriously affected by disease or damage.
The news has made many people living nearby very sad.
One resident said, "It hurts" when talking about the tree's removal.
For many years, the tree has been part of daily life in the neighbourhood.
People walked past it, sat near it, and watched it change with the seasons.
Now, locals are coming to terms with the fact that it will soon disappear.
Although the decision is painful for the community, officials insist there was no other safe option.
The case shows how much emotional value old trees can have for people living around them.
Even though it is just one tree, its loss feels significant to those who have known it their whole lives.
The story has drawn attention to how cities balance safety concerns with protecting beloved natural landmarks.
For now, residents are left to say goodbye to a tree that has stood for almost a century.
Vocabulary10 words
- linden
- a kind of large tree
- Strasbourg
- a city in eastern France
- emblematic
- well known; a symbol of something
- affected
- changed in a bad way by something
- painful
- causing sadness or hurt
- residents
- people living in a certain area
- landmark
- a famous or important place or object
- decision
- a choice made after thinking
- removal
- the act of taking something away
- significant
- important; meaningful
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Quiz
Answer key
1. Almost 100 years 2. It is badly damaged 3. Sad
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Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
A famous _____ tree in Strasbourg, France, will soon be cut down.
The tree was planted in _____, so it is almost 100 years old.
It is one of the most well-known trees in the city, and many residents consider it _____.
City officials have decided it must be _____ because it is badly damaged.
They say this is the only possible decision when a tree is seriously _____ by disease or damage.
The news has made many people living nearby very _____.
One resident said, "It _____" when talking about the tree's removal.
For many years, the tree has been part of daily _____ in the neighbourhood.
Although the decision is _____ for the community, officials insist there was no other safe option.
The case shows how much emotional value old trees can have for people living around them.
Discussion questions
- Do you have an old or special tree in your city or town?
- How do you think cities should decide when to remove a tree?
- Why do you think people feel emotionally attached to trees?
- Should old trees be protected by law? Why or why not?
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