It is a peculiar area of Setomaa, where both pine and heath pine forests grow on predominantly sandy land. The forests alternate with the small Seto villages and fields. Forests are of different ages because the forests are actively managed here. There are a couple of cross pines near Ristipalo. Cutting a cross into a tree is still a part of the funeral tradition of South-East Estonia and trees with cross marks in our nature are unique features of the regional burial culture.