500-year-old tree falls in Ohio storm

LANCASTER, Ohio - A storm has brought down a tree in central Ohio thought to predate Christopher Columbus' arrival in the New World in 1492.

The more than 5-century-old white oak tree came crashing down Tuesday outside a senior center in Lancaster, about 30 miles southeast of Columbus. No one was hurt, but three of the building's windows were broken.

Local supervisor of parks facilities Tom Smith tells the Lancaster Eagle-Gazette it looks like the wind caused the tree to split as easily as a banana.

He says the oak's age was estimated more than 25 years ago by Ohio State University agriculture experts.

People at the senior center who carve statues and toys will be given first dibs on the wood.