Technology
Storm Eunice blows down 'Newton's apple tree'
Planted in 1954, the tree had stood by the Brookside entrance for 68 years.
Cambridge University Botanic Garden has lost its "Newton's apple tree" to Storm Eunice.
Planted in 1954, the tree had stood by the Brookside entrance for 68 years.
As per reports, the tree was cloned from the one that led Sir Isaac Newton to discover the laws of gravity and the botanic garden said it had a clone of the tree that would be planted elsewhere in the garden soon.
Even though it was blown over in a gale in the 19th Century, the tree survived and over the years has been propagated by grafting.
The original tree from which an apple fell—leading Newton to devise his theory of gravity, is at Woolsthorpe Manor in Grantham, Lincolnshire.
Dr Brockington said analysis showed three trees in Cambridge, including the one at the botanic garden, was a clone of Newton's original apple tree.
Officials stated that it was a "sad loss" that it had fallen in storm, but they had already started their own clone of the tree, so "through the remarkable science of grafting, our scion of 'Newton's Apple Tree' will hopefully continue in our collections".
On Sunday, parts of the UK were hit by heavy rain and powerful winds.
Reportedly, heavy waves crashed into coastal areas, homes were destroyed by gales and emergency services put up flood defences along swelling riverbanks.
By Monday, there was severe disruption on many train routes.
The storm swept ashore in the south-west of England but also smashed into London, where The O2 arena was damaged by huge winds.