The bicentenary sequoia which sits at the entrance to the Chanzy high school in Charleville-Mézières (Ardennes) was decimated by the violent storms that fell on the sector on Tuesday evening.
In addition to lightning and lightning, driving rain and particularly strong winds were unleashed.
The bad weather got the better of one of the main branches of the tree, reports
France 3 Grand Est
.
Located on the upper part of the more than 200-year-old tree, it was snapped off and, as it fell, dragged down several other smaller branches.
The whole thing crashed to the ground at the level of the high school's wrought iron gates overcoming a low stone wall.
The officials of the establishment have decided to prohibit access to the vicinity of the sequoia for security reasons.
A perimeter has been delimited around the sequoia in order to prevent passers-by or vehicles from finding themselves under new falling branches.
The evacuation of the debris will be carried out at the end of the week by professionals.
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Thunderstorms
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