Giant Plane Tree — Attraction in Telavi

Oh, the Giant Plane Tree in Telavi! What a legend! Standing there, all gnarly and majestic, roughly 900 years old. Nine hundred years! Can you even imagine? If I were 900, I'd probably just be a pile of dust mumbling about how "back in my day, the internet wasn't a thing and squirrels respected elders." ​This tree, though? It's just chilling. It's seen empires rise and fall, countless kings parade by, probably witnessed the invention of Khachapuri – and it's still just, well, a tree. No mid-life crisis, no complaining about its roots aching, just sprawling branches and a silent, leafy wisdom. It doesn't even have a pension plan! ​I'd be demanding a golden plaque, free valet parking for my roots, and a team of professional leaf-polishers. Meanwhile, this ancient arboreal guru just stands there, providing shade, looking fabulous, and probably laughing silently at our frantic human existence. It's the ultimate "been there, done that" vibe, without ever actually doing anything but photosynthesis. So next time you're feeling old, remember this tree. Then remember you probably still have working knees. Mostly. And that's something, right? It's definitely better than being a fixed-location, slightly mossy, silent...

The Giant Plane Tree

This is a 900 year old tree standing near the city centre square of Telavi - a town in the Kakheti region of Georgia. The board depicts its height as 46 m, dia 3.6 m, and girth 12m. Botanic name of this tree is Platanus Orientalis. Trees belonging to this family are known for their longevity.

The tree bears testimony to the vagaries of Nature. The trunk of this tree has gone hollow to such an extent that, if not cared about, it could fall down in a storm. The government has realised this and has undertaken measures to save this giant tree. A project is underway to fix braces / supports to the trunk and prune the branches causing imbalance.

I visited this place in April 2024 and saw people embracing the tree and seeking its blessings for their wishes...

This giant tree stands in my home town Telavi. How to reach it? 😍 It is easy, it stands in the central part if the town. If you see the historical fortifucation stone wall it means you are at a right place, near the King Erekle II palace, out of the wall you should see the King's statue sitting on the horse - equestrian statue and when you wake up from the beauty of Alazani valley and Great Caucasus mountains you follow the steps down, cross the street and you are there at Giant Plane Tree more than nine hundred years old, about fifty metre height, 3.6 metre diametre, 12 metre width, M.S.L. 750 m. Guess how many people you need to make the chain...