The World’s Tallest Cork Oak: Soaring to 21 Meters High

[Article déjà publié le 22 juillet 2024]

Thanks to the initiative of Serge Arnaudiès, the oak dethroned a whistling cork oak, located in Portugal, record holder before it. It was notably elected European Tree of the Year in 2018. In 2021, the Reynès tree was also labeled “Remarkable Tree”.

The cork oak, the pride of Reynès

If Reynès, a small town of 1,244 inhabitants in the south-east of the Pyrénées-Orientales, is best known for its bridge which is of strong architectural interest, but also for its chapel, an old hermitage whose first mention dates from 1147, after the town hall of Reynès. However, a new element has for some time been the pride of its inhabitants.

Indeed, the Mas Santol oak, a cork oak more than 21 meters high and more than 5 meters in circumference, was crowned the largest cork oak in the world at the beginning of July by the Guinness Book of Records. It was officially measured by the Mediterranean Institute of Liège and the AEF forestry expertise office.

A happy owner of his tree

It was thanks to its owner, Serge Arnaudiès, that the oak was noticed. Indeed, the latter, a cherry producer, was looking for new plots for his orchard, according to information from France 3 Occitanie. He therefore bought the land on which this oak was located, then made sure to develop it so that its uniqueness was recognized.

The surrounding areas have been cleared so that photographers and curious people can have access to the tree, in order to contemplate it. A parking lot and an access path near the tree can soon be installed. However, its owner made the decision to no longer harvest his cork, to preserve it as much as possible and avoid “stress the tree”.

Pay attention to visitors

In addition, in order to avoid the nuisance that visitors could cause, the access points leading to the oak tree will be secure. “Many curious people come to observe it and place a hand on its trunk to capture its power, its energy, but unfortunately not everyone pays attention” explained the mayor of Reynès, Guy Gatounes, to France Bleu Roussillon. Explanatory panels will also be installed.

In addition to an increase in attendance at the tree, Serge Arnaudières has other projects: he plans, following negotiations with the town hall, to be able to install a plaque at the top of the tree with a certain quote from Lao Tzu, famous Chinese sage: “If your results do not live up to your expectations, tell yourself that the great oak tree was also one day an acorn.”

Inspiring!