Thümmel oaks are blooming: Nöbdenitz' trees are on the rise!

Thümmel oaks are blooming: Nöbdenitz' trees are on the rise!

In Altenburger Land, discussions are currently centered around a very special project that preserves the time-honored history of the Burial Oak in Nöbdenitz. The focus is on none other than the thousand-year-old oak, which is not only considered a natural monument, but also the home of an impressive grave. Hans Wilhelm von Thümmel, an important writer and cartographer of the Duchy of Altenburg, found his final resting place in the hollow trunk of this oak in 1824. According to that ABG Net Last year, 175 saplings of this historic oak were taken and brought to a planting camp to ensure their reproduction.

The first successes have already been achieved: So far, 55 thümmel oaks have been successfully planted in Altenburger Land and the surrounding area. Thomas Neidhardt, who is in charge of the project, reports brisk demand from all over Germany, even from the Bavarian metropolis of Munich. Particularly pleasing is the feedback from a couple from Ponitz who saw their seedling growing after just 14 months, thereby documenting an important step in the conservation of this tree species.

The special protection of the oak

The grave oak, also known as the Thümmel oak, is considered the oldest English oak in Europe according to the Guinness Book of Records, although the exact age remains controversial and is estimated to be between 700 and 2,000 years old. It is in the heart of Nöbdenitz and not only attracts history lovers. With its impressive circumference of 12.7 meters and the high number of preserved trunks, it is a popular destination for excursionists. In 2009, however, the stability of this impressive oak was classified as endangered, which led to intensive support measures in order not to endanger its preservation.

Thanks to the committed efforts of the community, important steps have already been taken. An Easter planting campaign was carried out in Lucka in March 2024, at which former Environment Minister Bernhard Stengele was present, among others. Together with students from the Dobitschen mainstream school, a total of 24 trees were planted in September 2024, including six thümmel oaks. Preservation and care of these special trees have developed into a community project that mobilizes many citizens in the region.

The story of Hans Wilhelm von Thümmel

Hans Wilhelm von Thümmel, who found his final resting place here, was a man of great importance. As a chronicler and cartographer, he left behind an extensive topographical map series, the Thümmel maps, which are still an important source for historians today. But his story is not just limited to his work. The access to his grave in the oak trunk, which is secured by an iron grille, remains a touching point of remembrance of an eventful past. Thümmel, who found his final resting place without a coffin, can be seen as a symbol of people's deep connection to nature and history.

The activities surrounding the Thümmel oaks and the preservation of the grave oaks clearly show how much passion there is in the region. A project that not only honors nature, but also makes the complex history of Nöbdenitz and its surroundings tangible. An outward sign of community spirit and a small contribution to preserving the cultural and natural treasures of our homeland.