The thick linden tree: Lower Saxony's centuries -old tree in focus!

The "Dicke Linde" by Heede is an important natural monument in Lower Saxony and was recognized as Germany's first national national tree. It is one of the oldest and largest trees in Europe and has an impressive trunk circumference of 17.5 meters. The age of the summer linden (Tilia Platyphylos) is estimated at 600 to 1000 years, with the probable plant time being dated around 1470 when the sash castle was founded. Only the oldest tree in Lower Saxony, which is at least 1200 years old, exceeds the linden tree in terms of age.

The "thick linden" is not only a natural monument, but also an important landmark of the municipality of Heede and serves as a meeting point for the village community. Numerous events take place under the huge tree, including shooting festivals and wedding photos. The tree has an estimated height of 24 meters and a crown width of around 30 meters. Regular maintenance measures are carried out to secure the future of the tree. The German Dendrological Society (DDG) predicts that the linden tree has been preserved for centuries.

meaning and historical contexts

The award as a "national-skewed tree" has been awarded by the DDG since 2019 to protect and maintain extraordinary old trees in Germany. The aim of the initiative is to find and distinguish 100 old trees in Germany. Lower Saxony has a special variety of trees, including the only witch tree avenue in the world and 600 trees from different regions of globe.

The "thick linden" is also known as "huge linden of Heede" or "a thousand year old linden tree". With a trunk circumference of over 17 meters, the exact measurement of which is difficult due to the indicator, and almost 30 x 30 meters of crown dimensions attract special attention. The area on the blunt of the linden tree has almost 16 square meters and was previously covered with wooden planks. Historically speaking, the area among the mighty branches served as the center of village events such as services, banquets of the Münster prince -bishops, as well as as a place for dance pleasure.

The state of health of the tree is good; It appears healthy and the trunk is not hollow. Genetic studies have shown that the shoots of the strongest trunks genetically match, which is evidence of the origin of a single tree. The Linde has a special symbolic meaning and is part of the coat of arms of the village of Heede. The village community maintains an intimate connection with the linden tree and the continued existence of the tree is expected for many centuries.