The Moravian Gate Arboretum

Arboretum is a specially designed botanical garden of different types of trees grown for scientific, cultivating and educational study (from Latin: Abor – a tree). The arboretum was located on the territory of the municipal Obora Forest.

It is situated on the east slope of the valley of the Odra river with three streams running nearby. The diversity of configuration and biotype (from wood to marshy forest) and the influence of the Moravian Gate upon the climate has contributed considerably to the existence of biodiversity. As the Obora Forest has never been deforested completely, we can still admire even hundred and eighty-year-old trees. The visitors can choose one of two walking routes: an educational and dendrological, both 2.5 kilometres long.

Dendrological route leads through numerous gullies, steep hills, picturesque streams, and boggy thickets. This relatively small area shows diverse vegetation of forest communities consisting of various species. Apart from typical wood trees, like larches, pines, and spruces, the visitors can also observe deciduous trees: oaks, hornbeams, ashes, maples, beeches, willows, birches, and elms. Bushes are represented by the following species: bird cherry, European cranberry bush (viburnum), hazel, European euonymus (euonymus europaeus), sambrucus nigra, blackthorn and blackberry. When strolling along the route, the visitors can notice foreign species of trees: silver maple (acer saccharinum), red buckeye (aesculus pavia), horse chestnut ( aesculus hippocastanum), northern red oak (quercus rubra), false acacia (robinia pseudacacia) as well as bushes: ninebark (physocarpus opulifolius) and rum cherry (padus serotina).

Particular stops of the ecological path allow the visitors to observe various habitats, their flora and fauna as well as the interactions taking place between elements of the forest ecosystem. Apart from that, tourists can learn more about forest and non-forest communities, especially about ruderal communities, bog forest, mixed wood, oak wood, and both foreign and artificially planted (introduced) plants. The path allows the visitors to learn about particular green and bushy plants accompanying the forest and realise that forest is
a complex organism, where not only trees matter.

There are two ponds: ‘Żabi’ and ‘Cienisty’ on the territory of arboretum. Both of them present numerous species of water plants. Gentle slopes of ‘Żabi’ pond were planted with plants characteristic of bog lands like rhododendrons, while the islet with plantain lilies, irises and astilbe. ‘Cienisty’ pond is full of water plant associations while its islet overgrown with shade-liking species, like azaleas, ferns and astibles. Nearby, there is also rhododendron community mixed with a variety of perennials.

Along the lower border of Łężczok is a bicycle path. Diverse landscape encourages to use
a fitness trail with numerous devices and walking routes. In winter, it is possible to use
a toboggan chute, ski jump and many cross-country ski runs. In front of the arboretum the tourists can find a Sports and Recreation Centre with a camp site, swimming pool, sports fields and a mini-golf course. There is also a restaurant.

We encourage the tourists to visit our arboretum in each season and to observe the constant changes taking place in nature.

Access:

Public transport: bus (line 7) from the railway station to the Obora bus stop.

Opening hours:

all year long; admittance to the arboretum and mini zoo – free.

Mini zoo is open Tuesday to Sunday:

summertime: 10 am – 6 pm; wintertime: 8am – 4 pm. (Mini zoo is closed on Mondays).