Wiedźmin (also known as Mieszko) is a European White Elm tree (Ulmus laevis), one of the largest elms in Europe. It is located in Komorów, Lubusz Voivodeship, Poland.[1]
This elm has short, wide trunk with large hole near the base[1]. Its circumference measured at the 1,3 m height (CBH) was 930 cm (in 2011).[1]
The height of the tree was 19 m. Wiedźmin was significantly taller previously (about 35,5 m). Unfortunately, part of the crown collapsed in 2004, when harsh thunderstorm attacked those lands.[1][2]
The age of the tree, according to the dendrochronological methods, is over 460 years (in 2016).[3]
Wiedźmin is officially preserved since 1971, as a natural monument.[3] A fence around the tree has been made to protect it.[3]
The name of the tree, "wiedźmin" comes from Andrzej Sapkowski's book series The Witcher, and is a masculine form of "wiedźma" ("witch").[3] It was picked by a local popular poll.[1]
The other name of the tree, "Mieszko", is still common among local foresters. It refers to Mieszko I , one of the first rulers of Poland.[3]
References
editFurther reading
edit- Paweł Zarzyński, Robert Tomusiak, Krzysztof Borkowski, Drzewa Polski, PWN, Warszawa, 2016, ISBN 978-83-01-18438-4
- Krzysztof Borkowski, Polskie drzewa, Wyd. DALPO, Poznań, 2014, ISBN 978-83-61766-08-7
- Paweł Zarzyński, Robert Tomusiak, 90 drzew - Okazy niezwykłe Centrum Informacyjne Lasów Państwowych, Warszawa, 2014, ISBN 978-83-63895-16-7