"Old and Valuable" Whomping Willow - Quotes

[Brenda M.]

No: HPFGUIDX 109737

>>> Cathy Drolet" wrote:
As to why HP thought it was 'ancient', I have no clue.
> 
>>> Melpomene
> Because he often jumps to conclusions which are just as often 
wrong. When he jumps to conclusions based on something Snape says 
(ie: "old tree") he's ALWAYS wrong. <<<


Brenda now: [emphasis in capital mine]

Harry's 'ancient' comment:
"He glanced over his shoulder at the ANCIENT tree, which was still 
flailing its branches threateningly." (CoS UK, 60)

Snape's 'old' comment:
"Professor Dumbledore, these boys have flouted the Decree for the 
Restriction of Under-age Wizardry, caused serious damage to an OLD 
and VALUABLE tree..." (CoS UK, 65) -- as Geoff has pointed out ;)

So there you have it, Harry made the 'ancient' comment before he 
even met Snape that night. And even if it wasn't said to be ancient, 
I would still assume that the tree was brought from somewhere else 
and planted on Hogwarts' ground the year Lupin came to school.  The 
tree would have had to be fully grown and functioning starting 
September of Lupin's first year, otherwise there would be no point.  
Sure you can Engorgio! tree or enchant it to grow, but I am more 
inclined to believe that it came from somewhere else.  Would you be 
so careless in simply relying on magic to protect students from 
someone who turns into a full-fletched monster once a month?  No, if 
I was the Headmaster I would have made sure the tree was 
already 'working properly'.

And tree of 25~30 years of age is hardly ancient, IMO.

Brenda