Wiedźmin (tree)

Wiedźmin (also known as Mieszko) is a European White Elm tree (Ulmus laevis), one of the largest elms in Europe. It is located in Komorów, Lubusz Voivodeship, Poland.^[1]

Elm "Wiedźmin", 2011

This elm has short, wide trunk with large hole near the base^[1]. Its circumference measured at the 1,3 m height (CBH) was 930 cm (in 2011).^[1]

The height of the tree was 19 m. Wiedźmin was significantly taller previously (about 35,5 m). Unfortunately, part of the crown collapsed in 2004, when harsh thunderstorm attacked those lands.^[1][2]

The age of the tree, according to the dendrochronological methods, is over 460 years (in 2016).^[3]

Wiedźmin is officially preserved since 1971, as a natural monument.^[3] A fence around the tree has been made to protect it.^[3]

The name of the tree, "wiedźmin" comes from Andrzej Sapkowski's book series The Witcher, and is a masculine form of "wiedźma" ("witch").^[3] It was picked by a local popular poll.^[1]

The other name of the tree, "Mieszko", is still common among local foresters. It refers to Mieszko I, one of the first rulers of Poland.^[3]