The thousand-year-old chestnut-grove in Mecsek Mountains is a 4.5-hectare shaw in which 95% of the trees are sweet chestnut trees. Sweet chestnut, an indigenous species in Mecsek Mountains, had formed vast chestnut woods before industrialisation and large-scale agricultural activities reduced the forest to a much smaller area. In the past 150-200 years, its habitat has been gradually reduced to grove patches. More recently, its habitat has been further reduced by large-scale mining in the city. The remaining coherent chestnut grove in Pécsbányatelep at the border of Mecsek was conserved by the locals who cherished and protected the trees.

At the beginning of the 1990s, these sweet chestnut trees were attacked by a fungus called Cryphonectria parasitica causing a severe plant disease called chestnut blight in the trees. This led to significant extinction in the tree stock. At present, there are dozens of standing memento boles, over 100 years old, as well as 50-60 bearer plants and roughly 250 scions and seedlings.

The goal of Pécsbánya Cultural Association is to preserve the cultural and natural values of Pécsbánya including the chestnut-grove. The Association has been looking after the indigenous sweet chestnut grove since 2015, because it has become a value in the cultural identity of the locals. In cooperation with the University of Debrecen, grafting procedures are regularly performed and registered seeds are planted to preserve the health and the genetic composition of the forest.

The Association believes that the “thousand-year-old chestnut grove” is a remarkable natural value that is to be preserved not only for the benefit of local families but for all Pécs citizens as well. The large, indigenous shaw, located in the big and populous city of Pécs, could be the breath of the city, as well as a recreational, tourist, and environmental education destination. The trees that are over a hundred years old represent historical continuity, as some of them have witnessed the history of Pécs as an episcopal, university, garrison, mining, and cultural city.

However, the chestnut grove is endangered and only continuous conditioning, planting, and eco-friendly use can preserve its value for future generations.

The Association has organised the Chestnut-grove Festival for the third time this year as a symbol of eco-friendly value preservation and use.

Source of photo: https://www.facebook.com/pg/Ezer%C3%A9ves-Geszteny%C3%A9s-Szoci%C3%A1lis-Sz%C3%B6vetkezet