Tamme-Lauri oak, Protected ancient oak tree in Urvaste, Estonia.
Tamme-Lauri oak is an ancient protected tree standing in Urvaste with impressive dimensions. The trunk reaches nearly 8 meters in circumference and the tree rises approximately 17 meters tall.
The tree grew from the year 1326 and later served as a refuge for resistance fighters during Soviet occupation. A major restoration took place in 1969 to ensure the tree's survival for future generations.
The name comes from Laurits, a fire spirit in Estonian folklore said to dwell in the tree's branches. This legend shapes how locals and visitors experience and speak about the place today.
The tree stands along the Antsla-Kanepi road about 13 kilometers from Antsla. Look for it after the Urvaste bus stop, where you need to turn left to reach the site.
Hidden inside the trunk lies a surprising reinforcement: about 8 tons of reinforced concrete poured during restoration work. This measure became necessary because the tree had suffered damage from multiple lightning strikes over the centuries.
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