The Oak of Bolko: A Living Anchor of Memory and Celebration
In the village of Hniszów in eastern Poland grows a tree whose presence feels inseparable from the history of the land around it. Known as the Oak of Bolko, this monumental oak (Quercus robur) stands in the remains of a former manor park, its massive trunk and wide crown shaping both the landscape and the stories attached to it.
A Tree Rooted in Legend
Local tradition describes the Oak of Bolko as a witness to the very beginnings of the Polish state. According to legend, Bolesław Chrobry, the first King of Poland and one of the most important rulers of the early medieval period, rested beneath its branches during his military expedition towards Kyiv in 1018.
If this story were literally true, the oak would already have had to be an impressive tree at that time. In reality, dendrological research suggests that Bolko is younger than the legend implies. Yet the persistence of this story reveals something essential: the oak has long been perceived as a place of calm and shelter.
Age, Size, and Scientific Reality
While legend speaks of a thousand years, scientific estimates most often place the oak’s age at around 500–650 years. Legendary time and biological time do not always align but both contribute to the tree’s meaning.
What is beyond doubt is its scale. The Oak of Bolko has a trunk circumference of approximately 870–875 cm, making it one of the thickest oaks in Poland. Its height is estimated at 24–29 metres, and its broad crown spreads widely over the park, creating a natural gathering space beneath its branches.
Threats and Care
Like many ancient trees, Bolko has faced serious challenges and has undergone extensive and carefully planned arboricultural care. Dead branches were removed, fungal growths treated, and cavities in the trunk were secured with protective mesh. Dynamic supports were added to help stabilise heavy limbs and reduce the risk of breakage.
The Oak of Bolko has been protected as a natural monument since 1959, reflecting long-term recognition of its value.
Bolkowanie: A Tree with Its Own Festival
What truly sets the Oak of Bolko apart is its relationship with the local community. Each year, the village celebrates “Bolkowanie” — the oak’s name day. Held in the park around the tree, the festival attracts thousands of visitors and combines music, local food, outdoor activities and communal gatherings.
Few trees are celebrated not only as monuments, but as hosts - places where people meet, celebrate, and return year after year.
From Local Symbol to European Stage
In 2015, the Oak of Bolko won Poland’s Tree of the Year competition, earning the right to represent the country at the European level. In the European Tree of the Year 2016 contest, it placed 4th with 23,313 votes, showing how strongly its story resonated beyond Poland.
A Living Anchor
Whether imagined as a royal witness from 1018 or measured as a centuries-old giant shaped by time and human stewardship, it continues to serve the same role: anchoring memory in the landscape. Some trees grow tall. Others grow deep, into the stories people choose to preserve.
