Polish town set to cut down tree gifted by Adolf Hitler

London, Jun 23 (ANI): A Polish town is all set to cut down a towering oak tree that had been planted as a gift from Adolf Hitler, during the Nazi occupation in the Second World War.

The authorities in Jaslo want to cut down the tree, and burn it to make way for a new roundabout,

But some residents have come to the defence of the 40-foot oak, and are lobbying to save it.”The tree has not hurt anyone and is not guilty of anything,” the Telegraph quoted Kazimierz Polak as saying.

He also added that his group was appealing to local and regional authorities to preserve the tree.

“It is growing healthy and tall. Let it grow,” he said.

But the town’s mayor, Maria Kurowska, said that it was a reminder of Jaslo’s connection to Hitler, whose Nazi troops razed the town in late 1944 as the Soviet Army advanced.

“It’s only a tree; we have hundreds of them here. Instead, I can plant trees in honour of Hitler’s victims,” Kurowska said.

Kurowska said that the tree also interferes with a planned roundabout that would increase road safety, explaining why authorities were only now looking to have it removed.

But the mayor said that she had received emails and letters from residents both for and against saving the oak.

Polak recalled that a tiny tree arrived in April 1942 in a box wrapped in the Nazis’ swastika flag. It was a gift from Hitler on his birthday and came from the Austrian city of Braunau am Inn, where the Nazi leader was born in 1889.

With two friends, Polak watched German authorities plant the tree with great pomp - part of an effort to “Germanise” the town, he said.

Two years later as the Red Army approached, the Nazis ordered that the town to be evacuated and looted, according to historians. By the time they left, only 39 of the town’s more than 1,200 houses remained.

Polak, now 81 years old, is the town’s source for information about the tree’s provenance, and the mayor noted that he is active in studying Jaslo’s history and there is no reason to doubt his account.

Nevertheless, she said that the town would decide within weeks about the proposed roundabout.

“You plant trees in honour of truly great people, like John Paul II,” she said.

“If we keep it, we will walk in the city centre remembering this is Hitler’s tree,” she added. (ANI)

Polish town set to cut down tree gifted by Adolf Hitler

 

I get their point, but as they say it's only a tree and it has not hurt anybody. It is not very ecological either. It's their business, so "après moi le Déluge".

 

If they do decide to eradicate it, it would be advantages to make a memorial, protected from the elements, from the timber in memory of the sustained loses of life and damage in the wake of the Nazis. They should not forget.

"Sprès moi le Déluge," the great flood would be of people.

 

I can see why they wouldn't want it there, despite the fact that the tree didn't do anything to them. Still, if it is a painful reminder to even one person, maybe it needs to be taken away.

 

All I can say is-that that town mayers decision is a nose-pinching-temple-rubbing stupid decision. Also, they can easily save that tree by digging it up and moving it elsewhere for re-planting. I know it can be done because I have seen it done a few times before in Corpus Christi. That mayer ought to be b****-S*****d.

I remember a similar incident that happened in Germany not too terribly long ago. a LOT of trees were cut down because they were amidst of trees with darker leaves and these trees had apparently been planted by some Hitler Youth who planted these trees in a manner that their light colored leaves woul make a Swastica. Fragging stupid if you ask me.

 

I too can see the arguments for and against the tree. I guess it would ultimately be decided by the very people that live there.

Interesting to see how the decision would be made. Im guessing a vote perhaps?

 

Regardless of the proposed roundabout, the tree is of great historical significance. Cutting it down would be akin to destroying Vlad the Impaler's castle in the spirit of vengeance. The tree is a living piece of history, and should be protected as such.

The way I see it, Adolph Hitler's legacy is one of murder and oppression. This tree and others like it may be his only positive contribution to society. It might provide a shady place to read a book, or have a picnic. Leave it be (pun definitely intended).

 

why do people want to cut down a historic tree for man

 

As Evans said they can call in earth movers and move the tree if they really need that roundabout...Roundabouts suck though, I really don't see the importance of the tree, its just a tree I dont see anything historically significant about it, so he gifted a tree not uncommon. but at the same time because I am not from the town in Poland where the tree is tis significance is probably lost on me, and it means something to the people there. Rather then cause any outcry from the public over the issue either create a memorial at the town center or such, or call in the earth movers.

 

quote by Queen Marie Antoinette , refering to the the Bible. "Meainng the flood may happen after I'm gone" I could have written "whatever" as well . It is the business of the poles to keep the tree or not, there are however more important things on this planet

 

It's a part of history, good or bad. Hopefully they can keep the tree and improve the street at the same time.