"Turgenev Oak" will represent the Russian Federation at the international competition "European Tree of the Year"
The results of the contest "Russian Tree of the Year - 2021" have been summed up. The winner was, gaining 12,134 votes, "Turgenev Oak" growing on the territory of the I.S. Turgenev "Spasskoye-Lutovinovo" in the Oryol region.
Spasskoye-Lutovinovo - the estate of Ivan Turgenev's mother, Varvara Lutovinova. In 1906, the house burned down, but 15 years later, the territory of the estate was recognized as a state reserve. The restored manor was opened in 1976.
According to legend, the English oak was planted on the estate by none other than Ivan Turgenev himself at the age of 13 in 1831. After the writer more than once recalled the tree he had planted. For example, in the story "Faust" you can find the following lines: "My beloved oak has already become a young oak".
In total, 47 unique historical natural rarities took part in the competition in 2021. All of them are included in the National Register of Old Growth Trees in Russia.
The winner of the Russian Tree of the Year competition will represent the Russian Federation at the European Tree of the Year 2022 international competition.