"Historical" Oaks Will Grow in Astrakhan Region Thanks to ASU

In celebration of the 100th anniversary of higher education in Astrakhan, Acting Rector Konstantin Markelov received a special gift — transplants of a famous tree, planted by Peter the Great on Kamenny Island, St. Petersburg, in 1715.

The descendants of Abram Petrovich Gannibal, a famous godson of Peter I, have been planting "historical" oaks, which are "grandchildren" of the legendary St. Petersburg giant, for more than 40 years. Thanks to their efforts, such oaks grow throughout Russia in places that are somehow connected with the tsar-reformer.

Peter the Great attached particular importance to Astrakhan as a trade and political centre of Southern Russia. He visited the region several times, established a port and ordered to dig a canal from the Volga to the Kutum; besides, it was Astrakhan where they developed plans on the famous Persian campaign. So, it is quite logical that this strong northern tree will rustle its crown in our southern region.

The amazing gift, certified with a respective document, was given to Astrakhan State University in celebration of the 100th anniversary of higher education in the region. The first transplant was planted by Konstantin Markelov in the inner yard of the ASU Znamensk Branch on Cosmonautics Day (April 12). The second one has been planted today, on April 23, near the university building in Shaumyan Street in the presence of students and teachers of the Biological Faculty who will take care of the nursling.