Tree knights walk

Here, four majestic sycamore trees adorn the peaceful complex. This city tree is easily recognized throughout the year by its beautiful bark. In older age a beautiful robust tree with a large crown of leaves in summer for beneficial shade and cooling.

Walking through this enchanting garden, you will discover not only imposing sycamores, but also lush greens and rich brown beeches. At the entrance, you are greeted by two majestic horse chestnuts. These somewhat slumped-looking sycamores were planted in 1800 and tell a lot about their growth habit. The younger chestnut trees and beeches complete the garden.

From the bridge you can see the pear tree and the Norway maple. These two trees show that sometimes urban greenery is less spectacular and also makes the role of the City's Tree Knights very visible, as they saved the pear tree, Norway maple and hornbeams.

Here you will find a beautiful white horse chestnut and again a sycamore. You can see here the effect of random plantings that sometimes succeed, and sometimes don't.

Walk on to Park Merwestein, a green oasis with more than 100 different trees, almost all of which have a number. You can find information about each numbered tree on the park's website.

Photo: Jannes Linders.

This Dutch tree is a real trendsetter, because it is actually an ash tree with a fun twist: grafted on the trunk of an ordinary ash tree. That really makes it a hip and trendy tree. The fruit tree industry is happy about it. So, while you're looking for that oldest tree, don't forget to stop by this special plumed ash tree and admire its unique style and charming character!

The oldest tree in Dordrecht, the over 325-year-old False Acacia. A very special tree, about which there is much to tell. Both about its growth habit and its maintenance. Such an old tree does not survive in a city park: you see bald spots on the crown like an old man. Fortunately, it doesn't need help to stay upright like tree 20, the Caucasian Wingnut!

The silver maple. Recognizable by the silver underside of its leaves, a giant and one of the Tree Knights' favorites. The wood of the tree is often used for musical instruments.

The oak-leaved hornbeam with its two types of leaves. Do you know the difference between a hornbeam and a beech hedge? A hornbeam is a species of tree, while a beech hedge is a hedge made up of beech trees planted in a row and pruned regularly to form a dense hedge. Perhaps you are getting climbing tendencies here. You may, but at your own risk!

The walk ends in park Merwestein. If you want to walk back to the Arend Maartenshof, walk via the Orange Park exit, where there are three Ginkgo biloba trees, or Japanese walnut trees. Information about the Bomenridders Dordrecht can be found at www.bomenriddersdordrecht.nl.