Kerecsend Forest Nature Conservation Area

 forest, nature conservation park / area

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History is full of uncovered mysteries, one of them is how this little patch of forest about one hectare could survive on this absolutely fertile loess country. This area – the zone stretching at the southern foot of the Északi-középhegység – was broken up an cultivated even in prehistoric time and slowly all the loess oak forests mixed with Tatarian maple, which constituted the natural floral association of this region, were entirely cleared from the way. According to maps the last forests were cleared in the 19th century so as to grow wheat instead. This little patch of forest was maybe lucky that its owner was the Eger archbishopric. This remnant forest is especially valuable because the association of loess oak forest mixed with Tatarian maple with presence in southeast Europe – once present in the Alföld in vast areas – has its northern border here in this region. The specialty of this forest is that the Tatarian maple, which usually constitutes the shrub stratum, grows into a fine tree here, and creates a well developed second stratum of foliage together with the field maple and the elm. A great number of protected plants dwell on the loess high in lime. The dwarf Russian almond about one metre tall also feels comfortable here, which is an amazing sight during flowering. One level lower on the lawn stratum it is the purple corydalis, the yellow Adonis, the purple gromwell (Lithospermum purpureo-coeruleum) etc. decorate the forest.
The fauna of the Kerecsend oak forest is also rich, as birds and game have no other refuge near and far than this island forest.

www.foek.hu/zsibongo/termve/tt/angtt/kerecsen.htm