Rotomänty is an easy to visit nature sight in Suomusjärvi in Salo, close to highway 1. It’s an old pine tree that stands as a testament to resilience and strength. Someone might wonder if a single tree is worth visiting, but I’m always up for paying a visit to natural landmarks that have stood in place for generations and might have some stories to tell.
What is Rotomänty?
Rotomänty is an old Scots pine that has grown a straight trunk with pretty sturdy branches. According Suomusjärvi Seura ry, the Rotomänty pine is 18 meters tall and estimated to be around 200 years old. This pine tree, which has developed thick, plate-like bark, was protected in 1959. There are at least two explanations for the origin of its name: either it comes from its location on Rotonmäki hill or from the Inari Sámi word roto, which means grove. My money is on the Rotonmäki hill.
Scots pines with thick, plate-like bark are very old and robust trees whose growth in thickness has already slowed down. The thicker the tree, the smaller its relative annual growth, for example as a percentage, and the less the bark needs to stretch. This is why older trees develop thick bark with sparse, deep grooves. Such pines are referred to as having plate-like bark. The name in Finnish, kilpikaarna, which refers to armor, might be thought to originate from the bark’s appearance, but it could just as well stem from the bark’s function for the tree: the thick bark protects the living cambium layer beneath it, even from forest fire. Old pines are known to survive ground fires that kill younger trees with thinner bark.
Directions to Rotomänty
Rotomänty is located in Suomusjärvi, a tranquil area in the city of Salo, just an hour’s drive from Turku or about 1.5 hours from Helsinki. There is an official signage to guide you directly to the tree on Varesjärventie road.
Address:
Varesjärventie 84 (approximate)
25420 Suomusjärvi Salo
While driving to Suomusjärvi we drove past Lahnajärvi and few smaller lakes. I spotted few swans on the lake. Most swans in Finland are migratory and return here in March and April. They are always a delightful sign of spring.
If you visit this location, please respect the environment by leaving no trace behind. Avoid climbing or damaging the tree to ensure it remains intact for future generations to admire. Plan your visit, pack a thermos of coffee, and embrace the magic of this extraordinary pine.
Accessibility: Rotomänty in Suomusjärvi is accessible when there is no snow on the ground as the parking space for one car is close to the tree.
When to go: You can visit at any time of the year but please note that the parking space might not be open from the snow.
Facilities: There are no facilities in the area.
Read more about unique trees in Finland
Paavolan tammi oak tree in Lohja
Finland’s largest tree Tsaarinpoppeli in Heinola
Piskoomänty whipping pine in Salmi in Southern Ostrobonia
