Radó Dezső: Parks and Forests - Our Budapest (Budapest, 1992)

címen standing by the Water Tower. It gives convincing evidence of how large a tree can grow under favourable conditions. No sculptor could create such a work of art.

There are not only plane trees on the island. Here is a list of some of the other interesting trees.

HORSE CHESTNUT- a specimen with spreading stock on the main road across from the Palatínus Baths toward the Water Tower;

EBONY- an 80-100 year old specimen with triple trunk can be seen in front of the statue of János Arany;

WINGED WALNUT- this can be found on an area of approx. 100 m2. A many-stemmed, 80-100 years old specimen stands by the Rose Garden. Its peculiarity is its way of spreading by woody shoots growing out of the root;

TULIP TREE- a giant specimen towers next to the Rose Garden; BLACK OAK- János Arany’s favorite spot for relaxation was where now 11 oak trees stand. A famous specimen with a height of about 28-30 m is located by the Rose Garden;

JAPANESE PAGODA-TREE- the oldest and largest specimen with a girth of 430 cm can be seen beside the Franciscan church;

GINKGO- a nice specimen can be found in front of the St. Michael Chapel;

DAWN REDWOOD- two specimens have decorated the rockery since 1954;

BLACK PINE- in 1896 István Hanusz, the renowned natural history writer, mentioned the old pines of the island. Most of them, however, were cut down in 1945 and replaced by a new planting in 1949-50;

YEW- the island boasts several decorative yews. The oldest specimens near the fountain and beside the Franciscan church are around 80-100 years old.

The spacious Rose Garden surrounded by trees and with thousands of flowers provides a magnificent sight. Traditionally in the middle of May the annual flowers are planted out here first in Budapest. Strollers may find quiet relaxation in the bower by the pond behind the Rose Garden.

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