The tree was a major tourist attraction for fans of the film, although located on private property at Malabar Farm.

[1][4] It formed part of "The Shawshank Trail" which features many of the film's iconic locations and attracts up to 35,000 visitors annually.

[4][7] On July 29, 2011, half of the tree fell due to trunk rot from ants after being hit by lightning.

[10] The tree's fate was uncertain at the time, and officials were pessimistic about its chances of survival,[11] but it was found to be alive.

[2][3] The event caused a major increase in Internet traffic to the Mansfield and Richland County Convention and Visitors Bureau website and general interest in the Shawshank Trail.