The origins of the Faltognano Holm-oak remain wrapped up in mystery. Its age should be around three hundred years. The main characteristic of the foliage is the leaves' growth in the shape of a cupola. The current extension of the branches is the result of a recent cutting, which had become necessary for the safeguarding of the century old tree and does not give full justice to the ancient majesty of the Holm-oak. Beyond all imaginings.

And precisely on the characteristics of the foliage, which still remains remarkable, a legend has been circulating among the inhabitants of the area, according to which the conformation, unusual for a «quercus ilex», such as the Holm-oak is, was determined by a little goat who ate its leaves when the Holm-oak was a young plant. Around the plant, which has been entered in the regional list of monumental trees and has been undergoing years of safeguarding care, a true committee made up of residents was formed.

Every year in the first half of the month of July the «Party under the Holm-oak» takes place, organised by the association and the residents of the borough. In Faltognano the bond with the Holm-oak is perceived by many as sacred. It is enough to think that for decades the farmers of the place, on rotation, have voluntarily taken the commitment to trim and care for the plant. It is because of this bond that, in 1994, its death was prevented and a number of agronomic cures were started for the safeguarding of the tree.

A visitor approaching the Holm-oak immediately notices the human intervention: at the tree's base there are some plastic white containers on the surfacing roots, need ed for the periodic infiltrations the plant undergoes. The trunk, once scalable is now isolated by a protective fence.

Some of its parts have had a protective treatment. A fungicide solution was «spread» on the live sections of the trunk that are deprived of bark and therefore subject to decay. Finally, in the centre of the foliage you can see a net of tie-beams which hold together the development of the largest branches. The tree is looked after owing to the local church and the «Committee under the Holm-oak». The municipality of Vinci periodically contributes to the cares the plant requires.

Municipality of Vinci (In Italian)
State Forest Corps - Monumental Trees (In Italian)