Bed oaks
The beggar oak in Gwatt (municipality of Thun ) is the largest pedunculate oak in the canton of Bern and the one with the largest trunk circumference in Switzerland . It bears this name because travelers and beggars used to find shelter under it . Their age is estimated to be 600 to 700 years.
The lot on Gwattstrasse on which the oak stands was sold to a private person in 1896. The tree itself remained the property of the Strättligen civic community . In 1902 the private landowner violated two branches (2.5 m³ content). In 1920 Strättligen was incorporated into the city of Thun.
In 1922, wide branches were removed from a house, and the oak was even wanted to be felled for the view. It was therefore bought by the city of Thun, the canton of Bern and other institutions and placed under protection on July 13, 1923 with an easement agreement. As a result, the oak was preserved and made accessible to the public. In 1946 it was declared a cantonal natural monument. In 1986 extensive maintenance work was carried out.
literature
- Kurt Derungs: Tree magic. The 22 cult trees in Switzerland. Amalia. 2008. 192 pages. ISBN 978-3-905581-27-0
Web links
Coordinates: 46 ° 43 ′ 41.8 " N , 7 ° 37 ′ 37.5" E ; CH1903: 614 405 / 175 248