Old Danish oak trees reveal their secrets!

Researchers from the University of Copenhagen and the Green Museum at Vemmeltofte Monastery – Photo Helle Serup

Did you know that the Royal Oak in Denmark was probably already growing in the Viking Age? Ancient trees are part of our cultural heritage and have been a popular tourist destination for centuries. And now researchers are uncovering their genetic origins, their history and the significance they have had for people throughout countless ages.

With generous support from the Augustinus Foundation, a groundbreaking interdisciplinary research project has been launched by dendrologists, geneticists, forest historians and museum professionals from the University of Copenhagen and the Green Museum. In the coming years, they will examine a number of Denmark's oldest oak trees in the largest interdisciplinary study of its kind in Denmark to date.

The researchers will delve into the cultural and mythological significance of trees, their role in changing forests and landscapes, and their impact on the past, present, and future. The goal is to uncover the age of the trees, understand why these ancient giants live so long, and perhaps discover unique traits when we look deep into the genomes of the ancient trees.

The project, which will run from 2023 to 2026, will publish its findings on an ongoing basis. This is a fantastic opportunity to explore our prehistory and learn more about how these trees have survived and managed to grow so old.

The background for the project is some of the oldest trees in Denmark, such as the King Oak, which is believed to be over 800 years old. In addition, there are also a number of oaks that are 500 years old or more in Jægersborg Dyrehave and at Vemmetofte Monastery.

In the project “Living Places of Memory: The Natural and Cultural History of Old Oaks”, we will investigate what makes these trees so special. Are their locations random, or do they reflect a special history of the area’s forests? Could it be due to their genetic origin, ownership, or forest use? Or have some trees become extremely old due to protection due to their cultural or mythological significance?

This exciting research project is supported by the Augustinus Foundation with 2.7 million DKK. We look forward to discovering more secrets from these ancient trees and sharing our findings with you on an ongoing basis! Stay tuned!