Bridegroom's Oak

The Bridegroom's Oak is a tree in the Dodauer Forst woodland of Schleswig-Holstein, known for a hollow opening in its trunk. This cavity sits roughly 3 meters (10 feet) off the ground and can be reached by climbing a small ladder.

In 1891, a man and woman started leaving letters for each other inside the hollow because their families opposed the relationship. After winning over their parents, the couple held their wedding under the branches.

The tree serves as a meeting point for people looking for companionship, with strangers opening letters and writing back if they feel a connection. Anyone who finds a message inside the trunk can reply and start a conversation.

The tree receives mail six days a week, and letters pile up inside the hollow until someone climbs the ladder to read them. Visitors are free to open any letter they find and take it with them if they wish.

In 2009, the tree was symbolically married to a chestnut in Düsseldorf during a ceremony meant to link the two regions. The event grew out of a playful initiative by local organizers looking to create a memorable story.