Thousand Year Linden Tree

Not too far from Erlangen, there are a number of small villages with many small old churches or small castles of the feudal lords. In one of these villages, Effeltrich, about 6 miles from Erlangen, is this very impressive linden tree.

Scientists put its age around 800 years old, but it is still called the thousand year linden. I guess when you get that old, you can round up.

As with most old lindens, the shear weight of the branches begins to tear the tree apart from the trunk, causing the destruction of many of the old trees. In this case, the residents put up support structures for the large branches to help it survive. It is a very beautiful tree in summer when it is in bloom.