An ancient oak tree targetted in an arson attack by vandals has come back to life to the amazement of park officials.
The 600-year-old, known as Mieszko the Oak to locals, is located in Natolin Park in the central Polish capital Warsaw.
The majestic tree was reportedly set alight by vandals in June 2019, but it proved to be more resilient than locals could have imagined.
Park visitors have been wowed by the tree’s lush green leaves on its 10-metre-broad crown.
The tree is named after Mieszko I, ruler of Poland from about 960 AD until his death in 992 AD.
It is considered to be one of the country’s oldest trees and is the oldest in the province of Mazowieckie.
It has a height of 18 metres (59 feet) from the ground and its trunk is supported by metal bracers around its 846-centimetre (28-foot) circumference.
Mieszko I was the first Christian ruler of Poland and he continued the policies of both his father Siemomysl and grandfather Lestek, who initiated the process of creating the Polish state.
He was also the father of Boleslaw I the Brave, the first crowned king of Poland.
For most of his reign, Mieszko I was involved in warfare for the control of Western Pomerania, eventually conquering it up to the lower Oder river. During the last years of his life, he fought the Bohemian state and won Silesia and probably Lesser Poland.
To find out more about the author, editor or agency that supplied this story – please click below.
Story By: Lee Bullen, Sub-Editor: Joseph Golder,  Agency: Central European News
The Ananova page is created by and dedicated to professional, independent freelance journalists. It is a place for us to showcase our work. When our news is sold to our media partners, we will include the link here.
