Black Poplar of Bulgárföld

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Many people probably don’t even realise what a natural treasure is hidden in the Bulgárföld district of Miskolc, nestled among the blocks of flats. The more than 200-year-old black poplar of Bulgárföld, which is the oldest tree in Miskolc, is a breathtaking sight. Its trunk has a circumference of over 10 metres, a diameter exceeding 3 metres, and the tree has grown to nearly 31 metres in height. A true arboreal giant that has withstood the test of time for centuries and holds countless stories from the past. The black poplar, scientifically known as Populus nigra, belongs to the willow family and is naturally found in riparian floodplain areas. In Hungary, it was chosen as the Tree Species of the Year in 2004, and in Miskolc, great care is taken to preserve the health of this magnificent tree. In 2022, the black poplar of Bulgárföld achieved 3rd place in the Tree of the Year competition, rightly drawing attention to its natural value. The tree holds centuries of secrets, which perhaps whisper through its rustling leaves. When it sprouted, the area was still covered by gallery forests, but over the years, these disappeared, replaced by human settlements. It might even remember the Bulgarian gardeners who used to arrive from Bulgaria in the summer to grow vegetables in the area. During the 20th century, the tree silently witnessed workers’ families moving into the newly built apartment blocks and watched as the area was further developed. Nowadays, it quietly observes as the tram continues to run and the neighbourhood keeps evolving.