Pulpit beech
The pulpit beech belongs to the genus of the Süntel beech . It is a noticeable mutation in the common beech .
Other names
In the vernacular, the pulpit beech is also called "pulpit" or "Teufelskanzel" for short, without these terms being clearly explained.
Location
The pulpit beech stood in Baden-Württemberg in the middle of the Stromberg in the forest near the district road K 1642 between Sternenfels and Häfnerhaslach . In the vernacular it is spoken of the Sternenfels pulpit beech. However, it was located in the district of Zaberfeld, directly on the boundary with Sternenfels.
history
King Friedrich von Württemberg is said to have been led to the pulpit beech on a hunt at the beginning of the 19th century. He was impressed by the special growth of the European beech and is said to have ordered its preservation. Under this protection, the original pulpit beech was around 300 years old until it collapsed in August 2001. The tree had a trunk circumference of around 4.30 m and was unstable due to fungal attack. There are currently two descendants of the pulpit beech in the place of the original tree.
The pulpit beech in 1910
The pulpit beech in winter, date of recording unknown
The pulpit beech in May 2001
The pulpit beech on August 21, 2001
Descendant: The young pulpit beech on January 6, 2020
Descendant: The young pulpit beech on January 6, 2020
Inscription of the former information board
“The pulpit beech, also called devil's beech.
The pulpit beech shows a hereditary modification (mutation) of the common beech. After the 'twisted' (twisted) kinked growth of their branches, such growth forms of the red beeches are also called 'whitefish'.
At the beginning of the last century King Friedrich is said to have ordered the preservation of the then young, kinky tribe on a hunt. This would mean that the tree would be over 250 years old today. This far exceeds the normal lifespan of a European beech. In fact, the pulpit beech already shows severe age damage, in particular due to fungal attack. In the near future, a storm could cause the rotten trunk to collapse.
In order to preserve this unique natural monument for as long as possible, the tree is recommended for special protection for forest visitors. Above all, climbing the pulpit beech, which is dangerous for the visitors, as well as any damage to the tree is to be avoided. "
Former information board on the pulpit beech
