Finland’s most famous pine tree in Koli has died

The iconic pine tree on Mäkrävaara hill in Koli National Park has died, Yle reports. The tree, known for its distinctive twisted form, has shed all its needles and now stands as a bleached, dry trunk.

Thousands of hikers have photographed the tree while trekking in the park in Lieksa. Its death was noticed by a Yle reporter during a recent visit to the area.

Suvi Haapalehto, team leader at Finland’s nature services, said Metsähallitus (the state forest enterprise) staff had not yet observed the tree’s demise. She noted that the death of a pine is part of the natural forest succession, where fallen trees provide habitats for numerous species.

“Human lifespans are short compared to a pine’s. Pines can live 500–600 years, and in high-altitude areas like Koli, they grow very slowly,” Haapalehto said. She declined to estimate the age of the Mäkrä pine.

The tree gained fame over a century ago through paintings by artist Eero Järnefelt, whose works helped shape Finland’s national identity in the early years of independence. The pine had already lost its crown years earlier, possibly due to snow damage typical of the region.

A 1924 painting of the Koli landscape, featuring the pine, is part of the Ateneum Art Museum’s collection. A recent photograph taken in June 2026 shows the tree from a similar angle, now bare.