As of: March 8, 2024, 2:47 p.m
By: Andreas Jäger
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The Röthlinde is the oldest tree in Munich © Imago-Images/Heinz Gebhardt
There is a piece of living history in Moosach: Munich's oldest tree.
But the natural monument is suffering from old age and the question arises: How long will the tree last?
Munich – If this tree could talk, it would have a lot to say.
Because when it was planted, Bavaria was still an electorate.
It has stood there for over 300 years - and has seen countless princes, kings, prime ministers and mayors come and go.
Some of these gentlemen would certainly have liked the stability of this tree.
We are talking about the Röthlinde in Moosach, which is not far from the Westfriedhof on the corner of Nederlinger Straße and Baldurstraße.
With an age of 300 to 350 years, the exact year of planting is not known, the linden tree is the oldest tree in Munich.
It is assumed that the linden tree was planted as a kind of “peace tree” to commemorate the Thirty Years' War (1618 to 1648).
And it's not just the age of the linden tree that is impressive: the height of 23 meters and the trunk circumference of more than six meters are also impressive.
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Tree is older than its namesake
By the way, the name of the Röthlinde is not quite as old as the tree itself. Its namesake, Philipp Röth, a painter, was only born around 200 years after the lime tree was planted.
Since he found such a wonderful shady spot under the tree to draw his works of art, the linden tree was later named after him.
A memorial plaque on the tree today commemorates the namesake.
A memorial plaque on the linden tree commemorates its namesake, Philipp Röth.
© Imago-Images/Reinhard Kurzendörfer
Unfortunately, as happens with older people, the linden tree is no longer in optimal health and has its problems.
For example, it has been hollow inside since a measure was taken to combat fungal infestation.
It is therefore questionable whether the linden tree will reach the average age for trees of its kind of around 1000 years.
Thanks to intensive care, it should last for a few more years.
It has been proven that she does not lack the necessary stability.
(Yes)
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