Species: Quercus coccifera
Age: Centuries-old
Protected Monument of Nature (Government Gazette 121/D/1980)
Details: The kermes oak is an evergreen shrub, more rarely a tree, which is widespread throughout Greece. It is particularly tolerant to grazing and has often been described as the most important forest species on account of its many benefits.
Both the kermes oak at Doriza and the nearby Church of John the Baptist are important historic landmarks in the area. The tree is an impressive remnant of an extensive oak forest which is believed to have been burned down by the Egyptian-Ottoman army of Ibrahim Pasha. The oak would also have been a silent witness to the battle at nearby Valtetsi, which raged for 23 hours (12-13 May 1821) and spread to surrounding areas, before ending with the first decisive Greek military victory over the Ottomans.