Bartošovický platan

Bartošovický platan, also known as the Josefínin plane tree, is a protected London plane growing in the castle park of Bartošovice, in the Moravian-Silesian Region of the Czech Republic. It is recognized as the most massive and oldest documented specimen of its species in the country, and its story is tied to a personal tragedy of the estate's 19th-century owner.

Where exactly does the tree grow?

The tree stands in the castle park of Bartošovice, right beside the north wall of the local château, within the Bartošovice municipality in the Nový Jičín district, Moravian-Silesian Region. The whole area lies within the Poodří Protected Landscape Area, which stretches along the Odra river valley — a setting that underlines the natural significance of the site. The municipality also includes the small village of Hukovice, bordering directly on the castle park.

How big is this tree?

Measured at a height of 1.3 meters above the ground, the trunk circumference reaches 855 centimeters, and the crown rises to 32 meters. These figures are what earn the tree its record as the most massive plane tree documented in the Czech Republic. Given its trunk size and crown spread, the entire tree is estimated to weigh around 120 tons. Planted in the spring of 1834, it is now nearly two centuries old, which also makes it the oldest documented plane tree in the country.

What is the story behind the tree?

The plane was planted by Josef Jiří Meinert, the owner of the Bartošovice estate at the time, in the spring of 1834 — just months after the death of his lifelong companion, Countess Josefína Pachtová, who passed away on December 6, 1833. The sapling was brought specially from England and planted right beside the château, facing the window of Meinert's study, as a lasting expression of his devotion to her memory. From the very start, the tree grew within sight of the room where its owner spent much of his time, watching it develop over the years.

Where does the name "Josefínin platan" come from?

Formal recognition of this story came decades later. On October 27, 2001, the tree was officially named "Josefínin" in honor of Countess Pachtová, and at the same time it was declared a protected memorial tree. Since then it has carried two names — Bartošovický platan, after the village, and Josefínin platan, after the woman whose story inspired its planting.

What should visitors know before going?

The tree stands in the grounds of the castle park, which is open to the public, making it an easy stop to combine with a visit to Bartošovice château itself. Because of its status as a protected natural monument, visitors should treat the tree with the basic care due to an old, living organism rather than a static landmark.

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Bartošovický platan? Its trunk circumference is 855 cm and it stands 32 m tall — the largest documented plane tree in the Czech Republic, with an estimated total weight of about 120 tons.

When and why was the tree planted? It was planted in the spring of 1834 on the initiative of Josef Jiří Meinert, in memory of Countess Josefína Pachtová, who had died a few months earlier. The sapling was brought specially from England.

Since when has the tree been protected, and where does the name "Josefínin platan" come from? On October 27, 2001, the tree was formally named "Josefínin" and declared a protected memorial tree.

Where exactly can you see it? In the castle park of Bartošovice, beside the north wall of the château, in the Bartošovice municipality (Nový Jičín district), within the Poodří Protected Landscape Area.

Is it really the oldest plane tree in the Czech Republic? Yes — it is recognized as the oldest documented specimen of a London plane in the country, in addition to being the one with the largest trunk circumference.