Napoleonsbuche Gahmen, Nature monument in Gahmen, Lünen, Germany
Napoleonsbuche Gahmen is a beech tree featuring two trunks that merge around 3 meters high and rise to a total height of 18 meters. The crown spreads to about 14 meters across, creating a distinctive double-stemmed form visible from a distance in the agricultural landscape.
The tree received official protection status as a natural monument in 1935 when its considerable age was already recognized. The location sits in a historically significant agricultural zone where a defensive boundary line marked by hedges and thorny shrubs ran through in the 19th century.
Local legend holds that Napoleon Bonaparte rested beneath this tree during his retreat from Russia in 1812. The story remains deeply embedded in how locals view and speak about the place today.
Access to the tree requires crossing agricultural fields, with conditions varying by harvest season and weather. Dry periods can make paths difficult to walk, while rain and snow also affect how easily you can reach the site.
From 2018 to 2020, during severe drought years, the Unna district implemented special watering programs to protect this roughly 210-year-old beech from drying out. These rescue efforts show how much the community values the tree and actively cares for it.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
