The oak tree planted by Nazis in Jasło, south east Poland, to celebrate Hitler’s 53rd birthday may go to Toronto, Canada, where its wood would be used to build a synagogue.

The synagogue is planned to be modelled on the one in Jasło that was destroyed  by the Nazis during World War 2.

The tree has fallen foul of local mayor Maria Kurowska who wants it cut down, ostensibly because it is obstructing the construction of a new traffic island, as well as because of its infamous history.

Mayor Kurowska said she was happy to hear of the offer to have the tree removed to Canada. Meanwhile city authorities have not yet decided whether the oak needs to be felled.

One of the supporters of the tree remaining where it is, is the man who drew the local authorities attention to the oak, in the first place.

Kazimierz Polak was there when the tree was originally planted by the occupying troops.

"It was 1942. The Germans brought the sapling in a oak basket and planted it with honours in the central spot, on the crossroads of May 3rd and Kosciuszki streets,” he remembers. Polak thinks it should stay where it is as, literally, a living memory of the dark days of the Nazis in Poland. (ek/pg)