According to the Finnish Nature Conservation Act, an individual natural formation, such as a tree, group of trees or erratic boulder, can be designated a protected natural monument. This designation can be based on the formation’s rarity, scenic value, scientific interest, beauty or other corresponding reasons.
The body that decides on the designation of protected natural monuments in Helsinki is the Urban Environment Committee’s Environment and Permits Sub-committee.
Natural monuments in Helsinki that are special at the national level include the giant’s kettles in the Helsinki district of Pihlajamäki, of which one is the largest in Finland. According to geological surveys, they were formed by swirling cascades of meltwater during the glacial period preceding the last glacial period.
Natural monuments in Helsinki
Snake-branch spruce, Pohjois-Haaga
Location: In Pohjois-Haaga, in a park located southeast of Näyttelijäntie and Kaupintie
Ownership: City of Helsinki
Protection decision: Helsinki City Board, 16 February 1956 (section 498)
Nature of the natural monument: Tree
Description: The snake-branch spruce (Picea abies f. virgata) is one of the many forms of the common spruce. The branches of snake-branch spruces are long, nearly branchless, twisted and pointed downwards. Though a rare form, it occurs naturally throughout Finland as individual trees.
This protected spruce tree is larger than usual; when measured in 2003, the tree’s circumference was 164 cm and it was 25.5 m tall. Usually, a snake-branch spruce does not grow taller than 15 m.
Snake-branch spruce, Tuomarinkylä
Location: In Tuomarinkylä, in the yard of Tuomarinkylä Manor
Ownership: City of Helsinki
Protection decision: Helsinki City Board, 27 March 1958 (section 1044)
Nature of the natural monument: Group of trees
Description: The snake-branch spruce (Picea abies f. virgata) is one of the many forms of the common spruce. The branches of snake-branch spruces are long, nearly branchless, twisted and pointed downwards. Though a rare form, it occurs naturally throughout Finland as individual trees.
This individual protected spruce tree is larger than usual; its circumference was 240 cm and it was 22.5 m tall in 1957. In 2003, the spruce tree’s circumference was 325 cm and its height was a whopping 27 m. Usually, a snake-branch spruce does not grow taller than 15 m. The site is fenced and marked with a protection sign.
Bur-bearing pine tree, Tullisaari
Location: In Tullisaari, along a recreational trail, at the end of an alley called Kumianpää, which branches east from Henrik Borgströmintie
Ownership: City of Helsinki
Protection decision: Provincial government of Uusimaa, 20 September 1956 (No 8805)
Nature of the natural monument: Tree
Description: The bur-bearing pine tree (Pinus sylvestris f. gibberosa) is a rare variety of the common pine that has a knotty trunk, branches and roots. The bur-bearing pine tree occurs in Southern and Central Finland. These trees usually do not grow to be more than 10 m tall, but this particular protected tree was 19 m tall and 175 cm in circumference (225 cm including the bur) when measured in 2003.
Pine tree, Herttoniemi
Location: In Herttoniemi, on the shore of Kipparlahti Bay, in the boat club’s pen
Ownership: City of Helsinki
Protection decision: Helsinki City Board, 27 March 1958 (section 1044)
Nature of the natural monument: Tree
Description: The circumference of this large pine tree was 260 cm in 1957; by 2003, the tree’s circumference had grown to 320 cm and its height to approximately 20 m. The tree is protected with a frame and marked with a protection sign.
Pine tree, Laajasalo, beach
Location: In Laajasalo, by the beach, along Reposalmentie shortly before the Vartiosaari pier
Ownership: City of Helsinki
Protection decision: Helsinki City Board, 16 February 1956 (section 498)
Nature of the natural monument: Tree
Description: This protected pine tree is one of the largest in Greater Helsinki, possibly even the largest. The trunk of the tree splits into two branches halfway up. When measured in 1957, the tree’s circumference was 290 cm and its height was 24 m. In 2003, the tree’s circumference, measured at the base of the trunk, was 365 cm and the branches were 26 m and 28 m tall, respectively.
Pine tree, Laajasalo
Location: In Laajasalo, on a private plot located at the address Itäniityntie 1
Ownership: Private
Protection decision: Provincial government of Uusimaa, 9 December 1974 (No 10628)
Nature of the natural monument: Tree
Description: In 2003, the circumference of this magnificent pine tree was 305 cm, measured at the base of the trunk, and the tree was approximately 25 m tall.
Pine tree and anthill, Seurasaari
Location: In Seurasaari, in the backyard of the Yusupoff stable
Ownership: City of Helsinki
Protection decision: Helsinki City Board, 16 February 1956 (section 498)
Nature of the natural monument: Tree
Description: According to register data, this pine tree is the second thickest unbranched pine tree in Greater Helsinki. In 1956, when the tree was first placed under a protection order, the circumference at the base of the trunk was 280 cm. When measured in 2003, the tree had a circumference of 307 cm and was approximately 20 m tall. A special element in this tree’s history is the anthill that has spread from the roots of the tree to its cracks. Additionally, a birch seedling has taken root in a hole in the tree, located at a height of approximately 5 m.
Pine tree by the side of the road, Meilahti
Location: In Meilahti, at the address Seurasaarentie 11, growing immediately next to the road on the shore side
Ownership: City of Helsinki
Protection decision: Helsinki City Board, 16 February 1956 (section 498)
Nature of the natural monument: Tree
Description: This large pine tree appears to have been spared from the worst harmful impacts of traffic, despite growing immediately next to the road. The circumference of the tree has grown from 205 cm in 1956 to 259 cm in 2003.
Group of pine trees, Tapaninkylä
Location: In Tapaninkylä, on a private plot located at the address Aapontie 2
Ownership: Private
Protection decision: Provincial government of Uusimaa, 28 November 1980 (No 8787)
Nature of the natural monument: Group of trees
Description: This group of 13 large and old pine trees was placed under a protection order because of its special nature, under sections 9 and 12 of the Nature Conservation Act.
Vesala pine tree, Vesala
Location: In Vesala, on a park plot located near the corner of Humikkalantie and Muinaistutkijantie
Ownership: City of Helsinki
Protection decision: Environment Committee of the City of Helsinki, 2000 (section 453)
Nature of the natural monument: Tree
Description: This magnificent and healthy pine tree is approximately 250 years old. In 2003, its circumference was 346 cm and its height was approximately 23 m.
White poplar, Laajasalo
Location: In the area between the Laajasalo sports fields, along Holmanmoisionpolku
Ownership: City of Helsinki
Protection decision: Helsinki City Board, 16 February 1956 (section 498)
Nature of the natural monument: Tree
Description: White poplars (Populus alba) are trees that usually grow to a height of 10–25 m and prefer to grow in moist, nutrient-rich soil. White poplars occur naturally in Central and Southern Europe and Asia, growing on watersides and in deciduous forests. In Finland, it is primarily found in parks.
The bark of white poplars is generally greenish-grey but dark grey and fissured in the lower sections of the trunk. The leaves resemble aspen leaves but are lobed at the edges. This white poplar tree had a circumference of 315 cm in 1956. According to the measurements taken in 2003, its circumference was 455 cm and its height was 22.5 m.
Two birch trees, Kulosaari
Location: In Kulosaari, on a private plot located at the address Marsalkantie 8
Ownership: Private
Protection decision: Provincial government of Uusimaa, 12 July 1973 (No 5749)
Nature of the natural monument: Group of trees
Description: According to the plot’s owner, these two birch trees are almost 200 years old. The magnificence of the trees is perhaps not as noticeable today as it was when the trees were placed under a protection order in the 1970s, when there were no other large trees nearby.
The King’s oak tree, Etelä-Kaarela
Location: In Etelä-Kaarela, along Kuninkaantammenkuja near Pitkäkoski, in the yard of a plot owned by the Pitkäkoski Water Treatment Plant
Ownership: City of Helsinki
Protection decision: Provincial government of Uusimaa, 20 September 1956 (No 8805)
Nature of the natural monument: Tree
Description: The story goes that the King’s oak tree was planted by the King of Sweden–Finland in the 18th century. In 2003, the tree’s circumference was 404 cm at its thickest and its height was 20 m.
Group of fluttering elms, Haltiala
Location: In Haltiala, in the Ruutinkoski area, by the wider section of the river downstream of the Ruutinkoski rapids
Ownership: City of Helsinki
Protection decision: Provincial government of Uusimaa, 10 May 1984 (No 2313)
Nature of the natural monument: Group of trees
Description: This group of fluttering elms currently comprises six trunks, the largest of which has a circumference of 178 cm and is 14.5 m tall (measured in 2003). The group of trees is located in a nature reserve. The site is marked with a protection sign.
Manchurian walnut, Malmi
Location: In Malmi, on a private plot at the address Asteritie 1
Ownership: Private
Protection decision: Provincial government of Uusimaa, 30 October 1980 (No 8065)
Nature of the natural monument: Tree
Description: The Manchurian walnut (Juglans mandchurica) is a beautiful and demanding tree. In Europe, it is usually only found in gardens that focus on special tree species. It requires moist, humus-rich and nutrient-rich soil and plenty of light to grow. Because of its large leaves, it is susceptible to high winds. The leaves of the Manchurian walnut can be up to 70 cm long and they consist of pinnate leaflets. The height of the trees varies from 6 to 15 m. It blooms in June and forms an edible fruit the size of a plum.
Small-leaved lime, Tullisaari
Location: In Tullisaari, along Henrik Borgströmintie, opposite the Tullisaari Manor Park intersection
Ownership: City of Helsinki
Protection decision: Helsinki City Board, 16 February 1956 (section 498)
Nature of the natural monument: Tree
Description: This magnificent small-leaved lime extends towards the sky, split into two branches. The branches are secured together with a wire to prevent them from splitting. When measured in 2003, the tree’s circumference at the base of the trunk was 450 cm, and the branches were 22 m and 25 m tall, respectively.
Tree-like sea-buckthorn shrub, Eira
Location: In Eira, on the shore of Merisatama, opposite the island of Sirpalesaari
Ownership: City of Helsinki
Protection decision: Environment Committee of the City of Helsinki, 1999 (section 445)
Nature of the natural monument: Tree
Description: Sea-buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) is a spiny shrub that is well-known for its healthy berries that contain a great amount of vitamin C, among other things. Unlike most sea-buckthorn shrubs, the shrub in Merisatama is growing like a tree. A sea-buckthorn shrub usually grows to a height of 0.5–3 m, but this particular shrub measures at approximately 7 m in height and 110 cm in circumference, measured at the base of the trunk.
Group of giant aspen trees, Käpylä
Location: In Käpylä, on the plot of Käpylä Coeducational School, along Kuutamotie
Ownership: City of Helsinki
Protection decision: City of Helsinki Real Estate Committee, 15 May 1950
Nature of the natural monument: Group of trees
Description: The giant aspen (Populus tremula f. gigas) is a rare form of the common aspen. It is a triploid aspen, meaning that it has three sets of chromosomes. The giant aspen usually has larger leaves than the common aspen. The length of the leaf blade is 3–5 cm for the common aspen and 7–10 cm for the giant aspen. Despite its name, the giant aspen usually does not grow taller than 15 m. In Finland, giant aspen trees have been found in the regions of Uusimaa, South Karelia, Koillismaa and Inari Lapland.
This particular group of giant aspen trees comprises 10 individual trees. When measured in 1985, the circumference of the thickest tree was 110 cm (measured at a height of 1.3 m) and the tree was approximately 16 m tall. These trees are parent trees of the Foundation for Forest Tree Breeding.
Crack willow, Kruununhaka
Location: In Kruununhaka, in Kirjanpuisto Park, at the address Kirjatyöntekijänkatu 12
Ownership: City of Helsinki
Protection decision: City of Helsinki Treasury, 2 April 1924 (section 1288)
Nature of the natural monument: Tree
Description: The crack willow (Salix fragilis) is part of the willow family and is also known as brittle willow. The crack willow is a tree or shrub with a thick trunk, which usually grows to a height of 6–15 m. Its leaves are slender, hairless and approximately 10–12 cm long. It blooms soon after the leaves emerge.
While not originally native to Finland, the crack willow has started to grow in the wild and can be found growing on watersides. The crack willow occurs naturally in wet places that are rich in nutrients in Central and Southern Europe.
Oak tree, Tullisaari
Location: In Tullisaari, in the grass field of the manor area near the intersection of Henrik Borgströmintie
Ownership: City of Helsinki
Protection decision: Provincial government of Uusimaa, 20 September 1956 (No 8805)
Nature of the natural monument: Tree
Description: The crown of this magnificent oak tree has spread out over a wide area, and some of the heavy branches growing horizontally lie on the ground. According to the measurements taken in 2003, the tree’s circumference at the base was 382 cm and it was 17 m tall. The oak tree fell down during a storm in 2020. The trunk will be left in place as a protected fallen tree.
Oak tree, Tali
Location: In Tali, in the manor area, on the golf course behind the club building
Ownership: City of Helsinki
Protection decision: Provincial government of Uusimaa, 21 August 1958 (No 6996)
Nature of the natural monument: Tree
Description: The circumference of this thick and old oak tree, measured at the base, was already 440 cm in 1957 and a respectable 598 cm in 2003. Its height was 22 m in 2003.
Maple tree, Pihlajisto
Location: In Pihlajisto, in the yard of Pihlajisto Primary School
Ownership: City of Helsinki
Protection decision: Environment Committee of the City of Helsinki, 1998 (section 453)
Nature of the natural monument: Tree
Description: This wonderful maple tree was chosen as the most beautiful maple tree in Helsinki in 2000, in honour of the City of Helsinki’s 450th anniversary.
Old small-leaved lime, Tullisaari
Location: In Tullisaari, south of Henrik Borgströmintie, on a small hill in a small grove approximately 100 m west of Tullisaari Manor Park’s intersection
Ownership: City of Helsinki
Protection decision: Provincial government of Uusimaa, 20 September 1956 (No 8805)
Nature of the natural monument: Tree
Description: This old small-leaved lime stands out from its surroundings, striking an awe-inspiring figure, even though its condition and posture have worsened. In 1956, when the tree was placed under a protection order, its circumference was 300 cm. When measured in 2003, the circumference of the trunk at the base was 400 cm, and the tree was 17 m tall.
Group of five oak trees, Meilahti
Location: In Meilahti, at the address Tamminiementie 3 and 4, on both sides of the road
Ownership: City of Helsinki
Protection decision: Provincial government of Uusimaa, 20 September 1956 (No 8805)
Nature of the natural monument: Group of trees
Description: According to the measurements taken in 2003, the circumference of the largest oak tree in the group was 332 cm, and the tree was 25 m tall. One of these oak trees grows immediately next to the road.
Monoecious aspen, Meilahti
Location: In Meilahti, in a small park at the corner of Valpurintie and Pihlajatie
Ownership: City of Helsinki
Protection decision: Helsinki City Board, 4 February 1954
Nature of the natural monument: Tree
Description: The aspen (Populus tremula) is a very common broad-leaved tree found throughout Finland. What makes this particular aspen tree special is the fact that it is monoecious, meaning that it bears both male and female flowers. This old tree is in a relatively poor condition, but there are plans to take cuttings from it and plant them in the same small park.
Giant’s kettle, Käpylä
Location: In Käpylä, on the rocky hill north of the Coeducational School, next to the old ski jumping hill
Ownership: City of Helsinki
Protection decision: Provincial government of Uusimaa, 21 August 1958 (No 6996)
Nature of the natural monument: Geological site
Description: The giant’s kettle in Käpylä has a diameter of 170 x 140 cm and was long considered the largest of its kind in Helsinki until the 1990s, when a larger giant’s kettle was found in Pihlajamäki. The giant’s kettle is encircled by a metal guard rail and marked with a protection sign.
Giant’s kettle, Seurasaari
Location: In Seurasaari, at the southern edge of the festival grounds
Ownership: City of Helsinki
Protection decision: Helsinki City Board, 20 October 1960
Nature of the natural monument: Geological site
Description: The giant’s kettle in Seurasaari is small, with a diameter of 74 x 77 cm, and low, but it has a beautiful round shape. The site is encircled by a staircase, and there is another less developed giant’s kettle further up. The site is marked with a protection sign.
Two giant’s kettles, Roihuvuori
Location: In Roihuvuori, at the address Punahilkantie 16, in the park area east of the building
Ownership: City of Helsinki
Protection decision: Helsinki City Board, 20 October 1960
Nature of the natural monument: Geological site
Description: The giant’s kettles are modest in size but beautifully round and almost attached to each other. The site is marked with a protection sign and encircled by a metal guard rail.
Two giant’s kettles, Pihlajamäki
Location: In Pihlajamäki, along Rapakiventie
Ownership: City of Helsinki
Protection decision: Environment Committee of the City of Helsinki, 28 March 1995
Nature of the natural monument: Geological site
Description: These giant’s kettles are the oldest to be discovered in Finland so far. They formed prior to the last glacial period. The giant’s kettles were not discovered until construction work was carried out in the 1990s. One of these two giant’s kettles is among the largest in Finland. It is 8.45 m deep and has a diameter of 6.9 m. The smaller giant’s kettle is 3.2 m deep and has a diameter of 1.6 m.
Rocky cleft, Kaivopuisto
Location: On the northwestern edge of the rocks in the middle of Kaivopuisto Park
Ownership: City of Helsinki
Protection decision: City of Helsinki Treasury, 30 May 1922 (section 1591)
Nature of the natural monument: Geological site
Description: The cleft is barely wide enough for an adult to pass through, being approximately 50–70 cm wide. It features stone stairs along the bottom.
Rapakivi erratic boulder and migmatite outcrop, Kaivopuisto
Location: At the south tip of Kaivopuisto Park, north of Ehrenströmintie, next to Harakka pier
Ownership: City of Helsinki
Protection decision: Provincial government of Uusimaa, 12 April 1964 (No 2134)
Nature of the natural monument: Geological site
Description: The boulder is marked with a fixed metal plate, and the outcrop is located right next to it. Migmatite is typical for the bedrock in Southern Finland and consists of folded gneiss intruded by granitic intrusions. The stone material is almost two billion years old.