KISULABE OAK

A monumental tree with its own ecosystem, providing a haven for a diverse range of wildlife. It is notable for its large girth and ecological value, offering...

This monumental oak is a very old tree in the final stages of its life, but it continues to be of great natural value. Despite its age, it harbours a small ecosystem: mosses, lichens, ferns and fungi grow on its trunk, and its hollows provide shelter for insects, birds, bats and a large colony of bees. Listed as a Natural Monument (MN.08), it stands out for its impressive dimensions; over 3 metres in diameter and 3.53 metres at breast height, making it the Natural Monument with the largest trunk diameter in the entire catalogue. Its total height is 11.60 metres. In the past, the tree was pollarded, i.e. it’s branches cut for firewood, giving it its characteristic candelabra shape. Declared a Natural Monument in 1991 for its exceptional size and ecological value, it is a striking example of the long coexistence of nature and human activity.