Kaņepji Holy Oak

The Kaņepji Oak is the second thickest in Latvia and in the Baltics. Its circumference is 9.4 m, age of 450 years. Since 1977 the secular oak has been included into the nature heritage list, since 1994 – also in the list of state archaeological heritage (State Inspection for Heritage Protection, No 2372), because at the oak there were stone cairns and a lot of ash found. In the midst of the oak, there is such a large hollow that once 15 persons could fit into it. The tree hollow has 3 entrances: the large one in the north, small slot in the south, but the third opening is in the upper part against the sky. To prevent rain and snow getting inside the secular tree, a wide rooflet has been erected above the large hollow on four poles. Right in the hollow on the lifeless wood, there are many names carved and initial letters. In the hollow also the name of the Kaņepji proprietor had been carved, “N. [Nikolajs] Cīrulis 15. VII 1928” (G. Eniņš. 100 Most Secular and Holiest. 2008 (100 Dižākie un svētākie)). Nearby there is the Jērcēni manor house and a park, the Jērcēni Secular Stone, the Seda Swamp.