Finding a 500-year-old Oak tree in the small town of Guryevsk, Kaliningrad Oblast, Russia.

Finding an old Oak tree in a small Russian town was a nice surprise. Especially if you did not know that it existed. Technology nowadays is a great help and thanks to Google Maps, I found it!

The town of Guryevsk is just outside of Kaliningrad city. Andrey had to go there for paperwork and I went with him. I decided not to go into the Municipal building and sat outside, browsing Google maps to see places of interest.

That is when I saw a 500-year-old Oak tree, marked on the map, in a park. I wanted to go there and see it for myself. I must admit that Google maps make it easy to find places. It did not take us long to locate the park and to start looking for the tree.

Finding the old Oak tree and studying it up close.

There is no sign in front of the tree. If you don’t know different tree types, you could easily miss it. To the left of the tree, a small monument with Neuhausen carved on it. Guryevsk, was called Neuhausen when it was part of the Kingdom of Prussia in 1701. Back to the tree. It is a huge old Oak tree and most of the bark has been stripped from it.

A review on Google mentioned that the tree was dead. This is in fact not the case. Trees shed their bark for various reasons. One of the most common reasons – Fungus. Fungus decomposes the outer bark of trees. This happens especially in white Oak trees. The bark will slough off. Insect infestation could be another reason.

Keeping trees stress-free prevents infection from fungus. I think after 500 years, this poor Oaktree must very stressed and will continue to shed its bark.

500-year-old Oak tree and keeper of history.

I can just imagine what this Oak tree must have seen over the years. Let’s go back to the year 1518. The Oak tree is the keeper of history. What happened in the world in 1518 and with Neuhausen?

• In the year 1518 bona Sforza is crowned as queen consort of Poland.
• Tintoretto, Italian painter was born in the year 1518.
• Pontifical ambassador interrogates Martin Luther.

Where to find the 500-year-old Oak tree in Guryevsk?

Buses leave from Kaliningrad city to Guryevsk during the day. It is not a problem to find transport. The tree stands proud and tall in Park Kul’tury I Otdykha. It can be found on Google maps.

Address: Kaliningradskoye Shosse, 11, Guryevsk, Kaliningradskaya oblast’, Russia, 238300