Preliminary documentation of old trees in the Pirot District and their protection needs with special reference to 'zapis' trees

The aim of this paper is to identify the localities of veteran trees in the Pirot District and to support their future protection as natural monuments by recording them. The Pirot District (municipalities: Pirot, Bela Palanka, Dimitrovgrad, Babušnica) hosts a number of centuries-old trees, mostly oaks, that are part of cultural landscapes, village commons, churchyards, and field boundaries. Some are already designated as natural monuments, such as five oaks at Osmakovo, pedunculate oak in Sopot, sessile oak at Divljana, as well as black pine in Rsovci. However, many veteran trees remain undocumented, unmanaged, and at risk from aging, soil compaction, climate stress, or human pressure. They represent not only natural but also cultural and historical values of the Pirot area. Most of them were consecrated by the Orthodox church. These trees are called "Zapis" in Serbia, and "Miro" or "Mirosano drvo" in the Pirot District. Local communities believe that such trees protect their area from storms and other misfortunes. Traditionally, annual processions called "Litije" or "Krstonoše" were held around them. The protection of old trees aligns with Serbia's Nature Protection Law and contributes to EU biodiversity targets, climate adaptation, and cultural heritage preservation. Old trees can serve as a bridge between ecology, culture, and economy. Protecting them not only conserves biodiversity but also strengthens community identity, education, and sustainable tourism.