Thetiny village of Frinley is said to possess a 'cursed tree'. Because the tree was mentioned in anewspaper, the number of visitors to Frinley has now increased. The treewas planted near the church fifty years ago, but it is only in recent yearsthat it has gained an evil reputation. It is said that if anyone touches thetree, he will have bad luck; if he picks a leaf, he will die. Many villagersbelieve that the tree has already claimed a number of victims. The vicar hasbeen asked to have the tree cut down, but so far he has refused. He has pointedout that the tree cut down, but so far he has refused. He has pointed out thatthe tree is a useful source of income, as tourists have been coming from allparts of the country to see it. In spite of all that has been said, thetourists have been picking leaves and cutting their names on the tree-trunk. Sofar, not one of them has been struck down by sudden death
老师你好，请教一个时态问题：Because the tree was mentioned in anewspaper, the number of visitors to Frinley has now increased.
感觉为何这个Because从句不用目前完成时呢? 若是Becausethe tree has been mentioned in a newspaper, the number of visitors to Frinleyhas now increased.
不是更自然更合理吗？仔细琢磨，不理解。忘专家老师指点。谢谢老师们！
作者之所以在because从句用了一般过去时，是由于在作者看来报纸刊登这条消息的时间是读者所知道的，不然他就会用目前完成时表示发生在不确切的过去时间的事件。后面一句话but it is only in recent years that it has gained an evil reputation 即recent years暗示某报纸刊登关于这棵树的新闻是几年前。
