The oak treeThe oak tree

The oak is a common symbol of strength The oak is a common symbol of strength and endurance and has been chosen as the and endurance and has been chosen as the

national tree national tree by many countries.by many countries.

Romania

United Kingdom

United States

of America

It is also the tree of Poland.It is also the tree of Poland.   

Bartek oak tree is the best known tree in Poland. It grows between Bartków

and Zagańskie in Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship. It is 700 year old, 30 meters high, the circumference of the trunk at

ground level is 13.4 m.

There is a There is a beautiful legend beautiful legend

of three of three brothers, that is brothers, that is connected with connected with

the oak and the oak and explainsexplains

the origin of it the origin of it as a national as a national

tree tree of Poland and of Poland and

the name the name Gniezno – that Gniezno – that was the first was the first capital of the capital of the

countrycountry. .

According to the legend According to the legend there were 3 brothers – there were 3 brothers – Lech, Czech and Rus. As Lech, Czech and Rus. As the lands in which they the lands in which they lived became too small lived became too small for their families and for their families and

troops, troops, they decided to leave they decided to leave them in search of new them in search of new

ones. ones.

They gathered their people and started They gathered their people and started their journey. Czech went to the south their journey. Czech went to the south and founded Czech Republic, while Rus, and founded Czech Republic, while Rus, who went to the east, founded Russia.who went to the east, founded Russia.

Lech went to the north and Lech went to the north and wandered across vast plains. He wandered across vast plains. He

and his troops decided to get rest and his troops decided to get rest nearby the old oak tree when they nearby the old oak tree when they

noticed a beautiful white eagle noticed a beautiful white eagle that flew over that flew over

their heads to perch on its nest.their heads to perch on its nest.

Having seen the eagle feed its Having seen the eagle feed its brood, Lech decided that this must brood, Lech decided that this must

be a good landbe a good land for a new home for him and his for a new home for him and his

people.people.

The oak became the national tree The oak became the national tree of Poland, while the capital of the of Poland, while the capital of the country – where they built their country – where they built their

houses around the very oak tree – houses around the very oak tree – was called Gniezno – as the name was called Gniezno – as the name

derives from “gniazdo” (that means derives from “gniazdo” (that means in Polish “a nest”). in Polish “a nest”).

The people The people called called themselves themselves Polonians Polonians (in Polish: (in Polish: Polanie). Polanie).