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After the death of the Kalnasikšņi oak tree, which was the mightiest tree in the Gauja National Park, the mighty Kvēpene oak tree has taken over that role. It has a circumference of 6.1 m, a height of 20 m, and a crown which measures 28 x 30 m. The beautiful tree is on the right bank of the Gauja River valley and is one of the most excellent trees in Latvia. Near it is the forested Kvēpene castle hill, as is the Svētavots stream, which is reputed to have medicinal waters. To the North of the castle hill is the Rūsiņš hillock, which offers a good view of the surrounding forests, the towers of the city of Cēsis, Ieriķi, and the Rakšupe estuary at the Gauja. There is a bench at the top of the hillock from which lovely sunsets can be seen. |
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The tree is on the side of a hillock, and its visible roots are unusually huge.
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This is certainly the thickest White Willow (Salix alba) in Latvia and perhaps the thickest one in the Baltic States. Many of its mighty branches are resting on the ground, and the enormous monolithic trunk has been split. There’s a small information stand alongside the tree. A pathway which starts at the Raganu cliffs can be taken to the tree.
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This is the thickest Black Alder (Alnus glutinosa) in Latvia
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This is Latvia’s largest small-leaved lime tree (Tilia cordata). Some of its mighty branches are held up by supports. There are large holes in the trunk that have been covered up to prevent water entering the holes and causing even more rot. Just like many other trees of this size, this was a sacred tree in the past
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The tree is in the middle of an untended field. Despite many dead branches and the messy surroundings, the tree is beautiful and well visible from the road. It is the third thickest tree in the Baltic States.
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This is the second thickest tree in Latvia and the Baltic States. There is a large and open hole in the trunk of the tree. Like most trees of its size, it has suffered lightning damage. The tree is a wonderful part of the landscape, and a little wooden fence has been put up around it.
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Most of the great tree’s mighty branches are gone, and among those that are still there, the thickest ones are held up by supports, and the tree’s hollow centre is protected against snow and rain with a little roof. This is the thickest Common Oak (Quercus robur) in Latvia and the Baltic States. Indeed, it is one of the thickest oak trees in all of Northern Europe. The tree is a gorgeous part of the surrounding landscape. There is a car park and an information stand nearby.
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This is the thickest and mightiest Norwegian spruce (Picea abies) in Latvia. Its monolithic trunk, with its small holes, is unusual. The tree is in the overgrown park of the former Īve Estate, behind the ruins of the mansion.
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