Kasberger Linde

Trunk The trunk of the lime tree has suffered significant hollowing, with much of it destroyed, leaving only a strongly inclined remnant. To support the remaining trunk and an almost horizontally projecting main branch, iron clamps, and threaded rods are used. Additional support is provided by several iron and wooden rods. Interestingly, an elder bush has taken root in the hollowed-out trunk and is growing outwards through an opening. The bark is covered with mosses and lichens in many areas, and the remaining parts of the crown are overgrown with mistletoe. If fully preserved, the trunk would have a circumference of about 16 meters. However, in 1987, the trunk circumference measured 11.2 meters, and in the year 2009, it was just under eight meters. Measurements taken at the site of the smallest diameter showed a circumference of 4.6 meters. In 1990, the total height of the tree was recorded at 11 meters, with a crown diameter of 16 meters. Age Due to the absence of the oldest wood from the center of the trunk, it is not possible to determine the lime tree's age accurately through methods such as annual ring counting or radiocarbon dating. As a result, the actual age of the lime tree can only be roughly estimated. In 2008, a representative from the Deutsche Baumarchiv (German Tree Archive) estimated its age to be between 600 and 800 years old. However, on several occasions, it has been speculated that the tree could be over 1000 years old. This would make the lime tree one of the ten oldest lime trees in Germany. Location Kasberg is situated approximately three kilometers northwest of Gräfenberg and about 25 kilometers northeast of Nuremberg. The lime tree is located on the western edge of the village at an elevation of approximately 510 meters above sea level. It stands next to the intersection of two old traffic routes: the road between Leutenbach and Gräfenberg (today FO 14) and the road between Walkersbrunn and Kasberg (FO 42/FO 14). The area is part of the Franconian Switzerland region within the Franconian Alb, characterized by a plateau landscape on its southwestern edge. The soil surrounding the lime tree consists of calcareous, loamy weathering material from the White Jurassic period. == History ==

According to legend, St. Empress Cunegonde (Kunigunde von Luxemburg), the wife of Emperor Henry II, either planted the lime tree with her own hands or visited it about 1,000 years ago. such as those in Gräfenberg and Burgerroth, located south of Würzburg, were also named after Kunigunde, who has enjoyed a high degree of popularity in Franconia since her canonization by Pope Innocent III in 1200. The chronicle of Gräfenberg from 1850 provides information about the legend of the planting of the Kunigundenlinde (Kunigunden lime tree): Until the end of the Middle Ages, court sessions were held in Kasberg for the former rural district of Auerbach in the Upper Palatinate. In the 13th century, for example, the Auerbach magistrate is said to have held a "Schrannengericht" (Schrannen court) with a whole court staff at Kasberg under the open sky near the still-standing lime tree. It is noteworthy that, in contrast to the present day, the survey sheet depicts unpaved roads reflective of the era. In 1905, H. Räbel featured an image in the tree book of photographer Friedrich Stützer, portraying the Kasberg lime tree. The photograph displayed a hollow, divided trunk, while the lower section of the crown remained undisturbed. In this context, Räbel mentioned that "about 50 years ago, there were still two large lime trees next to our lime tree" (i.e., around 1850). From the compilation of these details from different times, it becomes evident that different lime trees have been referred to as Old Lime Trees over the centuries. According to the Gräfenberg chronicle of 1850, the lime tree is believed to be around a thousand years old. It possesses an inner cavity, open on three sides, large enough for a horse to comfortably pass through. The trunk of the lime tree was divided into four pieces and had a circumference of 16 meters. The cavity inside the tree was three meters high, and the average diameter of the lime tree measured 4.5 meters. Its crown had a diameter of 20 meters and the tree itself stood at a height of 12 meters. As per tradition, the people of Kasberg used to dance inside the hollow of the lime tree on festival days, with six dancing couples rotating in the spacious cavity. In the past, there was also reportedly a wooden dancing platform in the crown of the tree. and the same year, the Bamberger Tagblatt also covered the tree in their report. Soon after, the lime tree was featured in a report in the travel guide Die Fränkische Schweiz. == Rehabilitation attempts ==

In the summer of 1913, a concerted effort was made to slow down the decay of the lime tree, with the district of Upper Franconia and the community of Kasberg jointly covering the expenses. During this restoration project, the branches were supported, the hollow space within the trunk was treated, and a protective fence was erected around the tree. Despite these efforts, the condition of the lime tree continued to deteriorate over the years. In 1970, an appeal for donations was made to fund the renovation of the tree, and in 1976, arborist Michael Maurer from Röthenbach an der Pegnitz was commissioned to carry out the restoration work. The restoration costs amounted to 28,000 German marks. == More lime trees ==

Adjacent to the old Kasberg lime tree, there is another lime tree estimated to be around 100 to 150 years old. After the eventual demise of the old lime tree, it intended to serve as a prominent replacement, preserving the striking presence of a lime tree in the area. There are also several old lime trees scattered in and around Kasberg. For instance, there is a lime tree located in the center of Kasberg, believed to be several centuries old. Due to references in the historical literature about an upper and lower lime tree, some confusion may arise. However, it is generally clear that most of the other trees in the vicinity are noticeably smaller in size compared to the tree traditionally known as the Kasberger Linde. == References ==