Zagreb Will Plant Clones of 600-Year-Old Oak

Why this is here: Dedek produced over 1,600 acorns—more than 5,000 grams worth—providing substantial material for propagation.

In Zagreb, Croatia, officials plan to replant clones of ‘Dedek,’ a 600-year-old pedunculate oak that fell during a storm last week. The tree stood in Maksimir Park and witnessed six centuries of Zagreb’s history, including the reign of King Matthias Corvinus. Experts from the Croatian Forest Research Institute collected roughly 500 cuttings and over 5,000 grams of acorns from Dedek before it fell.

The Public Institution Nature of the City of Zagreb intends to plant these clones this November, when conditions are best for root development. Park Maksimir director Nika Dolenc stated that two to three saplings will initially go in near where the original tree stood. They aim to preserve the tree’s genetic material on its historic site.

However, the exact number and locations depend on the condition of the seedlings and the terrain. The success of these clones remains to be seen, and ongoing monitoring will be necessary.