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The Old Chestnut of Sint-Rafaël
Species: Sweet Chestnut (Castanea sativa)
Age: 150-200 years
Region: Sint-Job-in-'t-Goor, Antwerp, Flanders, Belgium
A Living Witness to History and Care
The chestnut tree at Campus Sint-Rafaël, estimated to be 150-200 years old, stands at the heart of the grounds of the Orthopedagogical Center Clara Fey. It has witnessed the rich history of Sint-Job-in-'t-Goor, where Mathilde De Caters founded a convent and girls' school in 1868. Later, Baron Pierre de Caters, a pioneer pilot, established an airport in the village. Today, the tree remains a symbol of the care and history that have shaped the village throughout the years.
Tree of the year 2025
6373 votes
15th place
Nominated by: Vincent van Palinckx from the Orthopedagogical Center Clara Fey
National contest organizer: Stichting Behoud Natuur en Leefmilieu Vlaanderen (SBNL)