Bartek (tree)

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For alternative meanings of Bartek, see: Bartek (disambiguation).

Bartek is an ancient oak tree in Poland. It grows in Zagnańsk near Kielce in the Świętokrzyskie Mountains. Its age, long estimated at up to 1200 years, has recently been established at 625 years, with a corer used to extract a sample for proper counting of the growth rings. There are three older oaks in Poland, though none so famous as Bartek.

The 30-metre tall Bartek measures 13.5 metres in girth at its base. Its crown spreads about 40 metres. Under the Bartek oak tree, King Casimir III is known to have been pictured as holding his court. It is also told that Jan III Sobieski rested under this tree on his way back from the Battle of Vienna, and hid a Turkish sabre, an arquebus and a bottle of wine inside it. The old oak is in decline.

At the 11th International Fair Of Agricultural Techniques (AGROTECH) in Kielce, March 2005, cuttings of the Bartek Oak were given away [1].

[edit] External links

• Poland.gov: Bartek appears in the introduction to the government page on Poland's geography.
• Bernard Konarski, "Świetopelk Oak in Krepkowice is 621 years old": Bartek oak's age also established
• 360° picture of Bartek
• Gmina Zagnańsk More information about "Bartek" (in Polish)
• Oaks in Bialowieza
• Świętopełk tree

Coordinates: 50°59′N, 20°40′E