The tallest Douglas fir in Estonia
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Estonia’s tallest Douglas fir is most likely growing in the state forest near RMK’s Tellingumäe observation tower and campfire site, along with other similar Douglas firs, larches, and pines. The tower offers a good view of the magnificent trees.
In 2023, RMK and the employees of the Estonian University of Life Sciences measured the trees with the help of a ground-based laser scanner, and it turned out that one of them reaches a height of 44 metres. This tree is marked with an information board.
Growing in the same group as the Douglas firs on Tellingumägi are pines and larches of an honourable age. Like the Douglas firs, they are nearly 140 years old (estimated to begun growing in 1886).
The trees grow on the forest land of the former Taheva Manor. It is not known how these trees found their way into the soil 140 years ago, but at that time Taheva Manor was owned by Maximilian von Wulf, who was also the last owner of the manor.
Forty-four metres is an impressive height for a tree; however, a Douglas fir can also grow to nearly 100 metres in height. As a species, the Douglas fir is alien to Estonia. The homeland of the tree is North America and Asia.
The wood of the Douglas fir is strong, mainly used in construction. In Estonia, Douglas firs mostly grow in green areas.
In his Estonian language book Mõtsa ja Tagasi, Jaan Kaplinski has suggested that the Douglas fir could be called ‘tuglas’. ‘I think that it is best to call it the ‘tuglas’, the older name was Douglasia.’
Parking
Parking for 10 cars in the Bike path campfire site parking lot
Amenities
The tree is marked with an information board
Additional Information
Before going on a nature walk please read the Environmental code of conduct, rules of conduct and waste-sorting policy
Long-Lat WGS 84
Latitude: 57.600484
Longitude: 26.333603
L-EST 97x: 6386664.01
L-EST 97y: 639512.57
