The tree was assigned its own official postcode (23701) by Deutsche Post, the only tree in the world with such status.
The tradition began in the late 19th century when the daughter of a forester and her suitor exchanged letters via the tree to bypass her father's disapproval.
The tree is estimated to be roughly 500 years old, with a trunk circumference of approximately five meters.
Mail carriers regularly deliver letters to the tree, which are then placed in the hollow for others to read or collect.
The oak is legally classified as a natural monument by the local government.
The Bridegroom's Oak (Bräutigamseiche) is a centuries-old pedunculate oak tree located in the Dodauer Forst near Eutin that functions as an official post office. It features a hole in its trunk roughly three meters above the ground, where individuals leave letters intended for prospective partners. The German postal service assigns the tree its own postal code, ensuring that letters addressed to 'Bräutigamseiche, Dodau' are delivered to the tree by a mail carrier. Thousands of people have written to the tree, and the practice has reportedly led to over a hundred marriages. The tree is approximately 500 years old and stands as a recognized cultural monument in Schleswig-Holstein. It is protected under nature conservation laws, though public interaction with the tree's hollow remains active.
From the front-facing angle of the trunk, capturing the opening of the hollow clearly against the natural bark texture.
Bring a pen and stationery if you wish to leave a note in the tree hollow.
Check the letters inside the hollow; you are welcome to read, take, or reply to them.
Wear sturdy, waterproof shoes as the path through the forest can be muddy after rain.
Do not attempt to climb the tree or use tools to enlarge the hole, as it is a protected natural monument.
Respect the privacy of the letters; handle the physical mail with care and do not remove more than you intend to respond to.
