Prakšická Pear-Tree, Solitary remarkable tree in Prakšice, Czech Republic

The Prakšická Pear-Tree is a common pear (Pyrus communis) growing beside the Church of Christ the King in Prakšice. Its lower trunk bears large knobby growths where shrapnel from fighting at the end of World War II embedded in the wood and healed over. Since 2004 it has been protected as a memorial tree.

In 1945, at the end of World War II, a military sniper positioned himself in the tower of the Church of Christ the King in Prakšice. During the ensuing fight the tower was destroyed and many shards embedded themselves in the pear tree's trunk; the growths visible today formed over these wounds. The tree was declared a protected monument in 2004.

Locals call the tree Planuše and it stands by the Church of Christ the King. The name Prakšická hrušeň refers to the village and to the common pear (Pyrus communis), the species of this tree.

The village of Prakšice is easily accessible by car and the tree is visible and reachable from the main roads. The best time to visit is during daylight hours when good light shows the tree's form clearly and allows you to explore the surrounding fields.

Bulbous growths on the lower trunk mark where shrapnel from fighting around the church tower in 1945 embedded in the wood; the wounds healed over, and the tree was declared a protected monument in 2004.