The Gemenc and its Trees
Gemenc is a unique forest that is located in the length of 35 km (about 22 miles) along the Danube between Szekszárd and Baja. The Gemenc Forest with its regularly flooded 180 km2 area is not only the biggest floodplain forest in Hungary, but it is unique in Europe, too. It is part of the Danube-Drava National Park.
The rough terrain with its several ox-bow lakes, backwater, marshes has always hindered significant human activity and therefore preserved the forest and its extremely wide variety of flora and fauna. If we are just concentrate on the trees we can see indigenous white willow (Salix alba), back poplar (Populus nigra), white poplar (Populus alba), Hungarian narrow-leaved ash (Fraxinus angustifolia subsp. pannonica), comon oak (Quercus robur), field maple (Acer campestre), Tatarian maple (Acer tataricum), English elm (Ulmus minor), White elm (Ulmus laevis). Further from the water the planted forests include poplar hybrids (Populus x euramericana), green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica) , black walnut (Juglans nigra) , locust (Robinia), and box elder (Acer negundo)
The Giant
The forest can boast about several giant trees. The largest of all can be found in the Pörbölyi section, on the bank of the Móric-Duna. This gigantic black poplar developed from four offshoots that created one root system and one huge trunk that only separates into branches at 4 m (13 feet) height. Currently this tree is considered to have the longest trunk perimeter in Hungary: 1200 cm (39 feet, 4 inches). It is about 30 m (33 yards) high and is only about 100 years old! It is a strong and healthy tree, likely to grow more, as black poplars live for 200-300 years. It was discovered by a nature photographer in 2013.
About Black Poplar in General
World wide there are around 60 species of poplar. They belong to the willow family. The quick growing black poplar needs only 30 to 50 years to grow into a majestic tree of around 30 m in height and 2 m in trunk diameter. Two different forms distinguish this species of tree: the original black poplar with a wide crown, and the pillar like Lombardy poplar (Populus nigra "Italica"). The former is now only to be found occasionally, along river banks and on flood plains. The latter along roads.
Although the black popular lives nearly all over Europe, it is one of the rarest and most endangered trees, threatened with extinction. The main reason is the eradication of the alluvial areas, which are the natural habitats of this quick growing giants, that need lots of light, water and nutrition, but the cultivation of hybrid poplars also contributes to the decline of this species.
The dark grey, almost black bark with its furrowed structure gave this species of poplar its name. Its crown is wide, but irregular, and the trunk is often gnarled and covered with burls. The buds are close together, sticky and brownish in color. The 8 to 12 cm long leaves are diamond shaped, nearly triangular with long drawn out points. The catkins of the black poplar are around 10 cm long and appear in April growing on separate trees according to gender (dioecious). Poplars reproduce not only by means of fluffy seeds which float out of the burst fruit capsules (so called poplar snow) but also vegetatively through shoots and suckers.
Economical Importance: The use of black poplar is versatile. Its timber is bent, knobbly and knotty, but soft and easy to work with. It is mainly used for making palettes, chests, matches, troughs, guitars and snowboards. Dutch clogs are also made of black poplar.
Not only the timber, but the downy seeds are processed by men and serve as fillings for cushions and covers as well as insulation material. That is why poplars in North America are often known as “Cottonwood”.
Black poplar can also be considered an herb. Its buds contain fever reducing and disinfecting substances. As by the Greeks, some 4,000 years ago, poplar cream is still used for skin inflammation and hemorrhoids. Tanning agents and ethereal oils are also made of the buds.
Ecological importance: Alluvial forests provide habitats for a large number of insects. Many species of birds use the crown as a nesting place. The fact that the black poplar is able to remove heavy metals out of the soil is also of ecological importance.
Advice, Warnings
From the recommended parking coordinates you will hike/bike about 7 km (4.3 miles) first on a wide dirt road later on a narrow trail.
Some wading may be required during very wet periods.
Long pants, hiking boots or rubber boots are recommended.
Mosquito repellent is essential during the warm months!
Don't forget to take water, food and swag items with you!
