Hundred Horse Chestnut

About

The tree is located in the Carpineto wood, on the eastern slope of the Etna volcano, in an area protected by the Etna regional park. Several botanical authors agree on his age: he would be from 2,000 to 4,000 years old !!! According to the thesis of the botanist Bruno Peyronel, it could be the oldest tree in Europe and the largest in Italy. The chestnut trunk (Castanea Sativa), measures about 22m in circumference for about 22m in height. In reality, today it is made up of three suckers (stems), of 13.20 and 21 meters respectively. The debate on the uniqueness of the plant is still alive on these suckers. In recent years the Guinness Book of Records would see it register as the largest tree in the world, revelation of 1780, when they were measured a good 57.9m in circumference considering it in its entirety including the long and thick branches

At a glance

• Typical visit: about 30 minutes