Oak Vallonea of Tricase
Species:
Vallonea Oak (Quercus ithaburensis macrolepis)
Age:
700 years
Region:
Tricase, Puglia, Italy
A place of dreaming
The Vallonea Oak of Tricase is the oldest tree of its species in Salento, with an age of 700 years and a crown of 700 square metres. Candidate to become an UNESCO site, in 2000 the WWF elected it the Apulian symbol tree. In many legends, it is thought to be the "Oak of the hundred knights" because it is said that Frederick II met his army under it. For centuries it has contributed to the development of the local economy and is still a very important point of reference for its people, under the thoughtful care of its owner and local community.