The Minister of Environment and Water Rositsa Karamfilova declared nine centuries-old trees protected.

Three of them are of the Eastern plane tree species (Platanus orientalis). Two of those were declared in the land of the city of Asenovgrad, on proposal by the Municipality of Asenovgrad - both approximately 200 years old, with a height of about 19 m and a stem circumference of over 5.10 m. Another of the declared trees is located in the land of the village of Svirachi, municipality of Ivaylovgrad, Haskovo region. It is approximately 180 years old, about 18 m high with stem circumference of 5.13 m and was suggested for protection by a private individual.

A centuries-old tree of the silver-leaved linden species (Tilia tomentosa), approximately 120 years old, with a height of about 18 m and a stem circumference of 2.70 m was declared protected. It is located in the land of the village of Tsarski Izvor, municipality of Strazhitsa, Veliko Tarnovo region, and was proposed for declaration under protection by the mayor of the village.

The Minister’s order also includes a centuries-old tree of the species Cerris (Quercus cerris) in the land of Malko Bryagovo village, Madzharovo municipality, Haskovo region, which is approximately 290 years old, with a height of 14 m and a stem circumference of 2.93 m. The proposal for its declaration came from the Association of Parks in Bulgaria.

A centuries-old tree of the common beech species (Fagus sylvatica) was declared on proposal by the State Forestry - Troyan. It is approximately 250 years old, with a height of about 22 m, a stem circumference of 3.20 m and is located in the land of the village of Beli Osam, Troyan municipality, Lovech region.

In the land of the Kozarevets village, Stara Zagora municipality, on the proposal by the deputy mayor, a centuries-old summer oak tree (Quercus robur), approximately 200 years old, with a height of about 25 m and a trunk circumference of 3.60 m was declared.

On proposal by the State Forestry - Cherni Osam, two centuries-old trees were declared, each are over 100 years old and located in the land of the village of Cherni Osam, Troyan municipality, Lovech region - one is of the mountain ash species (Fraxinus excelsior), with a height of about 30 m and a stem circumference of 3.40 m, and the other is of the sycamore species (Acer pseudoplatanus), with a height of about 26 m and a stem circumference of 4.00 m.

The declaration of the nine trees as protected prohibits their uprooting, felling, pruning, breaking of branches, injury to the stems and any other actions that would lead to the destruction, damage or deterioration of their physiological state.

The order will be published in the State Gazette, the trees will then be entered into the registers as per the requirements of the Biodiversity Act and designated as centuries-old trees.

The preservation of centuries-old or remarkable trees through their timely protection is one of the MOEW priorities. Many of these trees, notable for their remarkable shapes and sizes that have withstood time and the elements, have been preserved thanks to the commitment and awareness of local communities.