Bulgaria's oldest tree

Dodgy Loner · July 20, 2008, 07:56:06 PM

Nice pictures, looks like the old tree is just hanging on by a thread. Unfortunately, all trees must die eventually, just like dogs and cats and people :(. I'm glad you got to see it while it was still alive.

tonich · July 22, 2008, 11:25:09 AM

@Tom,

I’ve been told some acorns were collected. The Mayer said, that some scientists have collected enough seeds for unknown purposes. The next day (probably about 3 weeks ago) I phoned the local State Forestry Unit, asking about ANY information about seed collection/conservation of this particular tree – i.e. nurseries, seedling production, planting, grafting etc. The deputy director in chief (apparently an young guy) hadn’t got a clue about the situation. However, he promised me to do some research and call me back.
Still nothing.

The locals appeared to be enthusiastic enough to collect some acorn, trying to sow them. Luckily, some attempts were successful. The most famous reproductive is an Oak, sawn back in 1986. It is as far as about 30 meters away of the specimen.

Here is the slate, in front of the young tree:

Dodgy Loner · July 22, 2008, 05:18:21 PM

Could you translate ???

tonich · July 23, 2008, 04:27:09 AM

Certainly!:

“A precious inheritor of the Granit’s millenary specimen”
May, 1986

SwampDonkey · July 23, 2008, 05:44:04 AM

The only word I knew was 'May' because there was a date beside it and the fact it was a dedication plaque.

tonich · July 23, 2008, 08:01:39 AM

Quote from: SwampDonkey on July 23, 2008, 05:44:04 AM
The only word I knew was 'May' because there was a date beside it and the fact it was a dedication plaque.

And what about the year? :

PS. :D :D ;)

SwampDonkey · July 24, 2008, 03:32:26 PM

That's a number, not a word. :

tonich · July 25, 2008, 05:41:19 AM

Not your kind of joke, eh? ;D

Sorry!

Best regards!!!

;)

SwampDonkey · July 25, 2008, 05:52:04 AM

The joke was fine, well maybe not. :D

Your wrecking your landmark thread though. ;)

Roxie · July 25, 2008, 06:03:11 AM

Tonich, thank you so much for sharing the pictures! It is espicially heartwarming to see the "precious inheriter".

Awesome! 8)

murzila · October 02, 2008, 04:04:51 PM

Hey guys,

I am more than surprised and excited to hear how many people are involved of trying to preserve the Granite Oak. This is how we called it when we were growing up there in Granit Village. My grant parents lived their good 2/3 part of their lives and my mom and her brother were born there. I was always proud to be associated with the village, because of the oak. I do live far now (US) but memories and your treat melted my heart today.

Thank you,

Magdalena

SwampDonkey · October 02, 2008, 04:32:01 PM

Welcome aboard murzila. I'm sure Toni and his wife will be pleased to read it. He has been working toward getting employment and citizenship over the pond as well. Slow process as you know. ;)

tonich · October 05, 2008, 02:53:53 AM

Hi Magdalena,

Since I live in The Rhodope mountains, I might be missing something important about the Granite Oak. Furthermore, all the efforts to gather more actual information from the State Forestry Unit in Chirpan failed.
Maybe you could share with us some firsthand facts or impressions about the tree.

Cheers!

Toni

PS. I’m curious, how did you find this thread. :

;)