Dicke Marie

Close to Schloss Tegel, near the waters of the Große Malche, stands a remarkable oak that has watched centuries pass. This tree, known as “Dicke Marie,” is believed to have taken root around 1192—making it older than Berlin itself. Its broad trunk and weathered bark tell a long story of seasons, storms, and quiet summers by the lake.

A name with a story

The name “Dicke Marie,” which translates to “Fat Mary,” is said to come from the Humboldt brothers, who grew up nearby. According to local lore, they named the oak after their family’s overweight cook. The nickname stuck, and today it adds a playful note to the tree’s long history.

A landmark of time

Dicke Marie stands as a living landmark in the Tegel area—an anchor point in the landscape that links modern Berlin to a distant past. Visitors pause to take in its size and age, often imagining how the surroundings have changed while the oak continued to grow, season after season.