In the Bryansk region, efforts are underway to save the oak tree planted by Peter the Great.

Social media users in the Bryansk region are raising alarms — an ancient oak tree, under which Peter I once rested, is in peril. Allegedly, the giant tree, growing on a steep bank of the Desna River behind the fortress wall of the Svensky Monastery, has fallen victim to road construction. Due to the construction work, the roots of this long-living oak have been damaged, and now it is withering. Posts indicate that the authorities are ignoring the situation. This tree has attracted tourists and newlyweds alike, who visited to tie ribbons for everlasting love. "Komsomolskaya Pravda" investigated what is happening with the oak and whether it can be saved. The inspection was conducted as part of a joint project with “Lapsha Media”, aimed at exposing misinformation.

According to legend, the oak is over 500 years old. It has long been a favorite among tour guides. Its history has become embellished with tales and has given rise to numerous traditions — such as tying ribbons on its branches and dancing around its trunk. However, construction of a new road has commenced near the tree. This has sparked posts on social media claiming that the tree is being destroyed and that no one cares about its history. Concerned citizens have begun to show that the oak indeed appears unhealthy. It is worth noting that the tree once survived a lightning strike, which burned its interior, yet it persevered.

The Prosecutor's Office of Bryansk Region has initiated an investigation to determine if there are any violations of environmental protection laws. It turned out that the "Oak of Peter I" does not fall within the boundaries of a protected natural area:

- It has been established that the tree grows outside the boundaries of specially protected natural territories of regional significance and their protective zones. It is not listed in the unified state register of cultural heritage sites of the peoples of the Russian Federation or in the list of identified cultural heritage sites located in the territory of Bryansk Region.

Experts confirmed that road construction is taking place near the tree.

- An inspection conducted with the participation of the head of the forest protection department and state forest pathology monitoring from the branch of the Federal State Budgetary Institution "Roslesozashchita" - "Central Forest Protection of Kaluga Region" revealed that road construction is underway nearby, involving the excavation of the topsoil. However, the oak is growing lower down the slope from the construction line, and its root system is undamaged. The tree's trunk shows signs of butt and stem rot, hollows, and traces of thermal impact — charred wood. To clarify the sanitary and pathological condition of the tree, an inspection needs to be carried out during the growing season.

As a result of the investigation, no violations of environmental protection laws were found.

It is known that Peter I was in Bryansk from October 22 to 24, 1708. The local history information portal of Bryansk Region states that the king's visit was prompted by the advance of the Swedish King Charles XII's army toward Starodub and further into Ukraine. He inspected the shipyard, where galleys were being constructed under his orders, the city's fortifications, and arms supplies, but it remains unknown whether he visited the Svensky Monastery. On October 24, Peter I left for Pogrebki near Novgorod-Seversky, where the main forces of the Russian army were stationed. There, he received a messenger from A.D. Menshikov, who informed him of the betrayal of the Hetman of Ukraine, Mazepa. However, church legend claims that this occurred while Peter I was at the Svensky Monastery.

“Tradition has it that the great reformer of Russia rested in the shade of the giant oak near the monastery wall. It is also said that, preparing for betrayal, the treacherous Mazepa decided to distract Peter from military concerns and sent the beautiful Anna to him by boat along the Desna. Peter and Anna fell in love, and to separate them, the monks of the Svensky Monastery imprisoned the girl in a dungeon and later drowned her in a forest lake, the water of which turned black, and it became known as the Black Lake... The giant oak, a silent witness to historical events, still stands firmly atop a massive hill, serving as a unique natural monument,” the article "The Sacred Tree of the Slavs.." states.