Linden of court Collm, linden tree and natural monument in Wermsdorf in Germany

The Collm Court Linden is a summer linden (Tilia platyphyllos) on the cemetery grounds beside the church of Collm in Wermsdorf, Saxony. It is a multi-stem tree with at least two main trunks, two large hollows, growth abnormalities and a trunk lean of about 30°. Its trunk circumference is around 11 m and its height around 18 m.

From 1185, under Margrave Otto the Rich, the Margraves of Meissen held their Landding courts at this tree; 15 such assemblies are documented up to 1356. After the regional courts moved to the towns, local lords used the linden as a pillory, with an iron neck ring still visible until a few decades ago. From 1877 a collection box hung on the tree for the upkeep of the neighbouring church.

The name 'Court Linden' reflects how this tree once served as a gathering place where local justice was administered and community matters were decided. Such trees were gathering spots where people came together to handle important village affairs.

Visitors can easily find this natural monument as it is located in the Wermsdorf area of Saxony and accessible via local walking trails. The tree sits in an open landscape that can be reached on foot with plenty of space to explore around it.

The hollow trunk was filled with rubble masonry and concrete in 1926 and 1953 to replace decaying heartwood; both fillings were removed during a 1992 restoration funded by the Saxon environment ministry. At least two main trunks, two large cavities and a lean of about 30 degrees remain visible. The tree is also used as a daytime roost by brown long-eared bats.