Berezynka Arboretum: incredible exotics from around the world

Would you like to sit beneath a real tulip tree, see an unusual Himalayan cedar or have your photo taken by a Japanese cryptomeria? Welcome to the unique Berezynka Arboretum in Transcarpathia! It is in this natural oasis that wonderful rare and exotic species of trees from various corners of our planet grow today.

The Berezynka Arboretum appeared in the picturesque Nodliget tract, not far from the town of Mukachevo and the village of Berezynka, more than half a century ago - in 1957. All thanks to the efforts of the talented engineers of the Mukachevo Forestry Enterprise, and in record time. It was then that more than 2 thousand (!) different species of trees and shrubs were first tested and studied here. Today, the 34-hectare arboretum is home to more than 300 cultivars that have successfully acclimatised to Transcarpathian conditions and enchant everyone with their beauty, uniqueness and unusual character.

Berezynka Arboretum: the valuable wild service tree, exotic cunninghamias and the Liquidambar

The arboretum is divided into separate sectors. For the most part, as the park’s own staff explain, the trees here come from those corners of the world that have climatic conditions similar to those of Transcarpathia. These are species that are exotic to us, such as the Himalayan cedar, ginkgo, sequoia, swamp cypress, lanceolate cunninghamia and eleutherococcus. Beeches are the most numerous in the park - of entirely different kinds. Spruces, pines, Lebanon and Atlas cedars and Arizona cypress are also grown here, along with Manchurian aralia, sweet gum (liquidambar), magnolia, the tulip tree and Japanese cryptomerias.

Highly unique is the wild service tree, which, although not among the exotics (it is a so-called local native), nonetheless combines the qualities of both ebony and oak. Ebony, the black wood, is practically impossible to obtain nowadays; it is occasionally found in Asia and the countries of Africa. In the past, furniture was made from such wood, and the people of India still believe in the magical properties of this plant and use it to ward off demons. It was from ebony that Severus Snape’s wand was made in the Harry Potter books and films. The wild service tree itself visually resembles the rowan and has medicinal properties. Like the rare yew, this valuable tree was destroyed on a massive scale. In an effort to save the wild service tree, during Austro-Hungarian times anyone who felled it faced the death penalty.

Besides exotic trees, the Berezynka Arboretum cultivates mushrooms and rare plants brought here from various continents. The peculiarity is such that only the strongest survive: one in every three saplings. To achieve this, the park’s scientists select those cultivars that are distinguished by their hardiness and high productivity. The most difficult task is preparing the plants for winter, as they are very sensitive to frosty weather - the park’s botanists carry out this procedure in several stages, beginning in November.

And in spring and early summer the arboretum turns into an astonishing blooming garden. Berezynka is one of the few locations in Transcarpathia where you can admire the flowering of rare crocuses, the so-called Heuffel’s crocuses .

The people of Transcarpathia themselves especially love to relax in the arboretum - they say this place fills you with new strength, inspires and restores. And indeed, a single walk among the park’s coniferous trees has a unique phytotherapeutic effect! In addition, natural science lessons are held here regularly for Transcarpathian schoolchildren. The park staff themselves are always glad to help with consultations and advice, as well as to share seeds and their own experience.

You can visit the unique Berezynka Arboretum during an excursion to royal Vynohradiv .