Tourist access to the oldest coniferous tree in Bulgaria - the Baykusheva mura - has been restored

The team for securing and preserving the oldest coniferous tree in Bulgaria - the Baykusheva mura, removed a broken branch. The compromised branch was removed without further damage to the tree trunk. It was placed in a stable position on the ground near the tree. This ensured the safety of passing hikers and restored access to the venerable tree.

In February, employees of the Pirin National Park Directorate discovered that one of the branches of the Baykusheva mura had partially broken and thus there was a risk of falling on the wooden ladder that provides access to the tree. The section was temporarily closed, as well as the immediate access to the pine.

An action plan was adopted to secure and protect the centuries-old tree. Experts from the Institute of Forestry - BAS, the University of Forestry, the Forest Protection Station - Sofia and arborists with proven experience in securing ancient trees were involved, the Ministry of Environment and Water reported.

The specialists have also examined the strength of the remaining branches and the overall condition of the centuries-old tree. Specialised equipment of the latest generation was used - a resistograph and a tomograph. The results of the study will give an idea of the rotting processes taking place and what their relative proportion is.

Three cross-sections were also cut from the removed branch to be examined by experts from the Institute of Forestry at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, the University of Forestry and the Forest Protection Station. It is expected that as a result of the examinations the fungal pathogen causing the rotting of the Baykusheva mura will be accurately determined, as well as the measures to preserve the tree.

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The Baykusheva mura is the oldest coniferous tree in Bulgaria. Its age is more than 1300 years. The tree is located in “Pirin” national park, south-west of Bansko winter resort in southwestern Bulgaria.

The Baykusheva mura is a rare and extremely precious specimen variety of the white fir tree.

The Baykusheva mura tree is approximately 26 m, high, is 2.2 m in diameter and 7.8m in circumference.. The tree was named after the famous Bulgarian scientist Kostadin Baykushev, who discovered and described the specimen.