Fat Marie, Natural monument oak tree in Tegel, Germany
Fat Marie is an oak tree growing near Tegel Castle with a trunk measuring approximately 6 meters in circumference. The tree reaches about 20 meters in height and stands in a forested area close to the Great Malche, a bay at the northern end of Lake Tegel.
The tree is at least 900 years old and was named by the explorers Alexander and Wilhelm von Humboldt after a castle cook. Their attention helped bring wider recognition to this remarkable oak and recorded its significance for future generations.
The tree served as a gathering place for scholars and nature enthusiasts over centuries who sought out this ancient oak. Its name, linked to a castle cook, shows how local stories become woven into the place itself.
The tree is accessible to visitors through forest paths that lead from the castle area. Wear comfortable shoes as the walk passes through wooded terrain that can become slippery after rain.
In 2021 the tree became the first forest tree in Germany to receive designation as a National Heritage Tree, recognizing its environmental value. This honor made it a symbol for protecting ancient trees in the region.
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