Kungseken, Djurgården, Remarkable oak tree in Djurgården, Stockholm, Sweden

Kungseken is an old oak tree standing in the Djurgården park in Stockholm with a sturdy trunk and spreading branches. The tree occupies a prominent place within the former royal hunting grounds that now form part of the island's public landscape.

Kungseken takes its nickname from the era when royal carriages turned around here on their Djurgården outings, a practice the bourgeoisie copied. On 1 May, Stockholmers led by the royal family greeted spring here, and the oak was the turning point of the first May Day parade in the late 19th century. An 1864 illustration shows it beside the newly built Manillaskolan. On 10 October 2016 the tree caught fire but was saved without major damage.

The tree serves as a visible link between Stockholm's royal past and modern city life for those who pass by. Visitors often pause here to admire the massive trunk and feel the weight of centuries embedded in its bark.

The tree is located along one of the main walking routes through Djurgården and can be reached easily on foot. The park itself is well served by public transportation, making it straightforward to reach from downtown Stockholm.

On 10 October 2016 the oak caught fire, but the fire brigade arrived quickly and the tree survived with no major damage. Its trunk measures 7.0 metres in circumference one metre above the ground, placing it among Stockholm's 100 thickest oaks.