Die alte Fichte, Großmutter Fichte: A Natural Landmark

Die alte Fichte, or Großmutter Fichte, is a celebrated natural landmark situated along the Salamanderweg in Schaanwald, Liechtenstein. This tourist attraction provides visitors with an opportunity to experience the tranquility and scenic beauty of the area. The Salamanderweg itself is a nature trail that was established in 1971 by the municipality of Mauren. In 2017, the trail was redesigned to offer an immersive experience, highlighting the forest, its inhabitants, and ecological connections. The trail is approximately 2.5 km long and features ten stations with illustrated information boards suitable for both children and adults. The walk takes about 1.5 hours to complete, starting and ending at the Forstwerkhof. While the specific history and age of Die alte Fichte are not widely documented, ancient spruces have captured scientific interest. For example, a spruce in Sweden, named Old Tjikko, has been dated back 9,550 years, making it one of the oldest known individual clonal trees. These trees survive through vegetative reproduction, where new stems grow from the still-living root system.