Grief in Crete: Damage to the thousand-year-old plane tree that inspired Nikos Kazantzakis (photos)

The way to prolong the life of the plane tree that has stood for 2,400 years in Krasi, Heraklion, Crete are being sought by authorities.

In the shade of this particular plane tree, Nikos Kazantzakis, Kostas Varnalis and Galatea Alexiou used to congregate. The plane tree was bent by the natural wear and tear of time, dragging the protection belt that the Forestry Service had put in place.

The plane tree has been declared a protected monument of nature by presidential decree and was a source of inspiration for Nikos Kazantzakis when he wrote “Captain Michalis”.

“We must save what we can, to give it a good old age. Five to six tons fell,” a resident told ALPHA. “The plane tree is the culture of the village,” he said. “It hurts my soul. I feel like crying, honestly,” another resident said.

According to the mayor of Hersonissos, Zacharias Doxastakis, the historic tree, which is also mentioned in Kazantzakis’ work, has been facing serious problems in recent years and a special study was underway to protect it.

The historic plane tree in Krasi

The plane tree in Krasi has become a symbol of history and nature, attracting visitors from all over the world who come to admire the imposing tree. It is estimated to be between 1,800 and 2,400 years old, although there is no precise scientific evidence. One thing is for sure, the tree has surpassed the millennium mark, making it one of the five largest trees in Europe, according to Dutch forester Jeroen Pater, neakriti.gr reported.

The girth of its root trunk reaches 24 meters, confirming its imposing presence. The tree, which is a trademark of the village, brings thousands of tourists to Krasi every year, especially during the summer months.

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