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The cork oak of Ostuni is one of the largest Quercus suber in southern Italy.
Ostuni, also known as the “White City” due to its historic centre originally painted with white lime, is located in the province of Brindisi, on the southern Murgia Plateau and on the border with Salento.

The trunk of this magnificent specimen reaches a circumference of 18.37 ft, while soaring to a height of 4.26 ft. It’s a real giant, as well as a wondrous but unfortunately little known natural monument. It truly bears the signs of time, showing black traces of burns on its bark: still, Mother Nature is bolder and stronger than many damages caused by man.

The largest cork oak in Italy is most likely the specimen which grows in the Castelporziano estate (Rome), which measures more than 182 ft in circumference.

This post is also available in: Italiano (Italian)