Oak Chrobry

The Oak Chrobry is one of the oldest oaks in Poland, a natural monument located in the Bory Dolnośląskie forest, near the Buczyna Szprotawska nature reserve. Legend has it that Emperor Otto III met with Bolesław Chrobry beneath this oak, although the tree is likely significantly younger. The oak was known for hosting village court sessions, and in 1906, naturalist Theodor Schube estimated its circumference at 8.61 meters. Even before World War II, the Oak Chrobry was protected and referred to as Grosse Eiche or Dicke Eiche. It was granted the status of a natural monument on March 24, 1966. In the 1990s, the upper part of its crown began to wither due to the drainage of an adjacent meadow. In 1992, the tree's age was estimated at 727 years, with its germination dated to around 1265. The Oak Chrobry had a crown spread of approximately 16 meters, a height of 26 meters, and a trunk circumference of 10.04 meters, making it one of the largest oaks in Poland and the third-largest by wood volume in Central Europe. In 2004, seeds from Chrobry were transported to the Vatican, and upon their return with the blessing of John Paul II, each descendant tree is called a papal oak. Unfortunately, in 2020, no new leaf buds were observed for the first time, leading to the tree being declared dead. The Oak Chrobry was set on fire multiple times, with the last major fire occurring on November 18, 2014, requiring the efforts of 13 firefighting units. Despite concerns about the fire's impact, the tree survived until 2021, when it was officially declared dead. Beyond its monumental architecture, the Oak Chrobry carries rich cultural and historical significance, featuring in legends and symbolizing the meeting of two important figures in Polish history. The tree and its descendants remain a lasting part of culture, attracting the attention of both historians and tourists.