Minister of Environment declared centuries-old trees as protected

The Minister of Environment and Water, Borislav Sandov, declared six centuries-old trees as protected.

Three of them are located in Asenovgrad and are from to the species of eastern plane tree (Platanus orientalis):

• a centuries-old tree, nearly 150 years old, with a height of 25 m, a circumference of the trunk at the base of 3.16 m;
• a century-old tree, approximately 150 years old, 25 m tall, 3,28 m trunk circumference at the base;
• a century tree 150 years old, 25 m high, 4,75 m trunk circumference at the base.

The proposal for the designation of the three century-old trees was submitted to the Regional Inspectorate of Environmental Protection - Plovdiv by the Municipality of Asenovgrad.

Two centuries-old trees of the walnut (Juglans regia) species, located in the municipality of Pavel Banya, Stara Zagora region, have also been declared protected.

One of them is approximately 100 years old, 18 m high, 4.20 m trunk circumference, located in the land of the village of Tuzha, and the proposal for designation was submitted to the Regional Inspectorate of Environmental Protection - Stara Zagora by an individual. The second one is over 180 years old, 13 m high, trunk circumference 4,10 m, located in the land of the village of Turia and the proposal for its designation as protected was submitted by the Association of Parks in Bulgaria.

The Minister's order also includes a centuries-old tree on the capital's James Bourchier street - a summer oak (Quercus robur), approximately 200 years old, 15 m tall, with a trunk circumference of 3 m at the base. A proposal for its designation as protected has been submitted to the Regional Inspectorate for Environmental Protection - Sofia by the administration of the Lozenets District.

The declaration of the six trees as protected prohibits uprooting, felling, pruning, breaking branches, injuring the trunks and any other actions that would lead to the destruction, damage or deterioration of the physiological state of the trees. Following publication of the Order in the State Gazette, the trees will be entered in the registers as required by the Biodiversity Act and designated as ancient trees.

Conservation of ancient or landmark trees through their timely protection is one of the priorities of the Ministry of Environment. Many of these trees, which are remarkable in shape and size, have withstood time and the elements, have been preserved thanks to the commitment and public awareness of local communities.