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Gogal's lime tree

Gogal's lime tree

A 25-metre giant, five centuries old

More than 500 years ago, the Gogal family planted a lime tree in front of their homestead in Zgornja Radovna. It has survived many generations, withstood time, weather, wars, and diseases. Today, standing at 25 meters, it proudly gazes down into the valley.
One of the most impressive limes in Slovenia is the giant, 25-meter-tall lime that stands in front of the Gogal family homestead in Zgornja Radovna.

The lime tree has long been considered a symbol of Slovenian identity. Folk tradition says that large- leaved limes were often planted on special occasions. They were usually planted near churches and other landmarks, and often in the center of the village, where the village elders would gather and converse.

But Gogal's tree is actually not a large- leaved lime, it is a small-leaved lime! Like the large- leaved lime tree, the small-leaved lime is a native Slovenian tree species, found in forests. You can read more about the difference between the two

HERE

The circumference of Gogal's tree measures more than 640 cm. Can you imagine how much that is? You would need five friends to help you if you wanted to hug Gogal's small-leaved lime.

The tree's lush canopy, despite its venerable age, has no dry branches. The tree is at its most beautiful in spring, when it is fully leafed, in bloom, and fragrant, hosting hundreds of bees that come here in search of food.

The 500-year-old giant is never bored!

Six meters above the ground, in the branch axil of Gogal's small-leaved lime, a spruce tree has grown about a meter tall. Among the branches of this mighty tree, we can also find a few other sprouting spruces, a raspberry bush, white stonecrop, and apetalous sandwort.

The Gogal family is proud of their landmark. They even say that, as recently as the first half of the last century, they used to trim the tree's branches for winter feeding of their sheep.

Due to its size and age, the tree is protected as a natural monument of national importance.

DO YOU KNOW?

  1. The Radovna Valley is enclosed by high, steep slopes. As a result, the small-leaved lime tree at the Gogal homestead is not reached by the sun for two whole months.