Oaks are found throughout the Northern Hemisphere. However, they rarely live as old as they do in Europe elsewhere. Tree experts argue about which oak tree is the oldest in the world. Promising candidates are in Austria or Bulgaria.
Which is the oldest oak tree in the world?
The oldest oak in the world could be the 1,200-year-old oak in Bad Blumau, Austria, or the 1,640-year-old oak in Granit, Bulgaria. Other old oaks are the Kongeegen in Denmark and the Femeiche in Germany.
- The oldest oak trees in the world
- 1,000-year-old oak tree Bad Blumau, Austria
- Granite Oak, Bulgaria
- Kongeegen (Royal Oak), Denmark
- Femeiche, Germany
The 1000-year-old oak tree in Bad Blumau
It is located in the town of Bad Blumau in Austrian Styria. According to experts, it is probably the oldest oak in the world or at least in Europe. They are estimated to be over 1,200 years old. It is already mentioned in a document from the year 990. So she's probably even older.
The approximately 30 meter high oak tree has a trunk circumference of approximately 8.75 meters. It takes seven adults to embrace it. The diameter of the crown is given as 50 meters.
The English oak of granite in Bulgaria
In the town of Granit in the Stara Zagora district there is another oak tree, which is also considered the oldest oak tree in the world. Her age is given as 1,640 years. This makes it probably the oldest deciduous tree in Europe.
Kongeegen – the royal oak of Denmark
The royal oak is located in the Jægerspris Nordskov nature reserve in Zealand, Denmark. Only remnants of her remain. Their age is estimated at 1,400 to 2,000 years. It currently has a trunk circumference of around eleven meters. The tree is preserved by grafting after partial collapse.
The Femeiche – the oldest oak in Germany
The so-called Femeiche, which can be found in Erle in the Borken district near the parish church, is considered the oldest oak in Germany. How old she really is can only be guessed at. The age is between 600 and 850 years.
It owes its name Femeiche to the fact that Feme courts were held under the tree until the 16th century. This makes it the oldest court tree in Central Europe.
Tips & Tricks
The Major Oak in Sherwood Forest in England is considered an oak with a great history. Robin Hood and his companions are said to have once hidden in its branches from the stalking of the infamous Sheriff of Nottingham.
