Natural monument Dicke Tannen

A site of the mightiest spruces in northern Germany with a height of over 50 metres and a trunk diameter of 100 to 180 centimetres. Dicke Tannen, which has been protected as a natural monument since 1989, is an area natural monument of about 4.2 hectares located about 1.5 km southwest of Hohegeiß. The red firs, which are popularly known as "Rottannen" and which can be up to 350 years old, were first mentioned in forestry documents towards the end of the 18th century and owe their survival specifically to the steep and wind-protected location on the slopes of the narrow Wolfsbach valley.
Because of their size, it was hardly possible to keep up with the axes and saws of the time, and transporting the wood also proved to be practically impossible. Among other things, this area has not been used for forestry for more than 200 years, which is why the area gives the impression of being a primeval forest.
In 1900, there were still around 120 trees and now there are only 23 healthy trees left. Reaching the natural age limit or the change in environmental conditions may have contributed to this.
For safety reasons, the old hiking trail through the core area of the Dicken Tannen is closed, but much can be discovered from the new trail. The natural monument represents stamp position no. 45 on the Harzer Wandernadel.