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Holy Oak - Den Hout

The Heilige Eik (Holy Oak) stands at the corner of Achterstraat and Vrachelsestraat in Den Hout, near Oosterhout in Noord-Brabant. This ancient pedunculate oak (Quercus robur) is a remarkable living heritage site, known for its hollow trunk, distinctive appearance and estimated age of several centuries. After being damaged by lightning, the tree lost much of its original crown but continues to grow, reaching around 13 m in height with a dense green crown each summer. Historical records mention a significant oak at this location from at least 1353 onwards, although it remains uncertain whether the current tree is the same medieval oak or a later replacement. Today, the Heilige Eik remains an important part of Den Hout’s historic landscape, surrounded by the traditional Brabant countryside and the protected heritage of the Houtse Heuvel.

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