Folly Arboretum

Folly Arboretum

8257 Badacsonyörs, Római u. 139.

The arboretum lies on 3.06 hectares with a connected forest area of 1.6 hectares. Beside its botanical value, it also has a significant landscape, cultural and geological value as well. The scenic views from the southern side of the Kisörsi Mountain on the Örsi Mountain, and towards Badacsony to the Szent Iván chapel at Ábrahámhegy are of unmatched beauty. On the opposite side of the Balaton the typical double hump of the Fonyódi Mountain rises above the water surface. We are presented from here a generous view of the most famous vineyards of the country as well as the traditional winemaking region of Badacsony. The winding lines of vines and the artistic architecture of the press houses offer a gripping sight in any season. The Folly arboretum consisting of evergreens also has a significant impact on the landscape catching and enchanting the eye from a great distance, especially in winter.

Considering the three main periods of planting, the oldest trees are 90-100 years old. Developments subsequent to the Second World War are 35-55 years old, whereas the age of the trees belonging the last generation ranges from a few years to 35. The dendrological value of the arboretum – despite its small size – is internationally acknowledged. This collection of evergreens allows the presentation of a botanical system of pines which is the reason it is also used as an educational site. Its stock of Atlas Cedars is of significant value. Naturalization and plant breeding experiments as well as ecological and phenological observations take place in the arboretum. It has a prominent role in the naturalization and propagation of cypresses and cedars.

There are around a thousand coniferous species on our planet. An estimated six hundred of these are natural variants living in the temperate zone. The Folly arboretum shelters one fifth of these (130 pine species, 20 deciduous tree species, and 20-30 types of evergreen and deciduous shrubs). At present there are 16 species of juniper living here, some of them in several variants. There are more than 15 types of silver fir and spruce despite the unfavorable climate of the dry, sunny, southern oriented location. Several trees of the 'long needled' pines (Pinus class) develop considerably well despite the dry weather, there being 35 species of this class.

The conservational value of the arboretum is increased by the occurrence of Permian red grit within the limits of the area as well the oak forest that can be considered the original association of plants.