Poland's treehouse is an actual living tree that has naturally formed a "living room"!

Have you ever seen a tree you can walk inside? This isn't a conceptual design but a real ancient tree located in the small village of Chudów, Silesia, Poland, named Topola Tekla. 📍44-177 Chudów This Canadian poplar, an introduced species "immigrated" from Canada, is already 100 years old and currently holds the record for the largest girth among Poland's natural monument trees. Its uniqueness lies in its hollow trunk – instead of being cut down, locals helped install doors and windows, transforming it into an accessible "treehouse". And it's still thriving! 🌿 New leaves sprout every spring. ⸻ 🌱 How does it stay alive? One might assume a hollow trunk means the end of life, but that's not the case. • Poplars are remarkably resilient. Even with a rotten core, as long as the outer vascular tissues remain intact, leaves can still grow and nutrients circulate normally. • Though hollow inside, Topola Tekla's outer bark remains alive, continuing photosynthesis. • Local residents carefully maintain it with protective fencing, regular checkups, and foot traffic prevention – achieving true "hollow yet living" dignity. So when sitting inside, rest assured – it's not only unharmed but delighted to host you. 🌳 What does this "treehouse" look like? • The door is carved into the trunk, opening to reveal a cozy space with table and chairs. • Accommodating 2-3 people, it offers fantastic photo ops like stepping into a fairytale. • While you sip hot cocoa in its "heart", new leaves keep growing outside... The experience feels less magical than profoundly heartwarming. ⸻ 🏰 Fancy visiting a castle nearby? Adjacent to Tekla stands 16th-century Renaissance-style Chudów Castle. Though now mostly walls, it was once a prestigious noble estate! Its flatland location was strategically chosen for "transport access, moat excavation, and adjacent farmland" – proving flat castles can rule comfortably too! Despite its ruined appearance, it's quite vibrant: • Summer opens the tower for panoramic views; • The lawns often host picnickers and dog walkers; • Medieval festivals feature armor-clad performers and royal reenactments; 📚 Bonus knowledge: • Tekla is a "Robusta" variety of Canadian poplar, planted around the 1920s; • Officially designated a "protected natural monument" since 1981; • Still sprouts new branches annually, stubbornly alive despite its hollow core (laughs); 📍 Sometimes travel encounters aren't just scenery, but revelations: A tree that refuses to give up becomes landscape; A castle left unrestored still finds purpose.