Unique example of European wild pear (Pyrus pyraster (L.) Burgsd.) in the territory of Belgrade—,,Topčider pear”

Abstract

U radu se opisuje stablo divlje kruške (Pyrus pyraster Burgsd.) izuzetnih dimenzija u okviru vrste. Stablo se nalazi u zaštić enom području Topčiderski park, koje predstavlja jedinstveno prirodno i kulturno nasleđe za grad Beograd i Republiku Srbiju. Prema narodnom predanju, stablo је zasadio knez Miloš Obrenovic nekoliko godina posle gradnje Konaka (1831-1834), pa se starost stabla procenjuje na oko 180 godina. „Kruška topčiderka“, sa prečnikom stabla na prsnoj visini d 1,30 = 95 cm i visinom stabla h=21 m, predstavlja primerak divlje kruške izuzetnih dimenzija na području Srbije. Stablo je pravilnog habitusa, vitalno je i plodonosi. Kao izraz prošlog vremena „Kruška topčiderka“ ima istorijsku i kulturnu vrednost na području Beograda. Istorijski kontekst omogućava da se na specifičan način sagleda vrednost ovog jedinsvenog stabla, jer je ono pored monumentalnog stabla platana u blizini Konaka kneza Miloša, od koga je po predanju starije, izraz transformacije pejsaža iz prve polovine devetnaestog veka na području Beograda. U neposrednom okruženju Konaka nastalo je prvo parkovsko nasleđe u negovanju vrtne arhitekture po evropskom modelu, a „Kruška topčiderka“, po predanju, predstavlja autonoman individualni kolekcionarski rad. Ovo jedinstveno stablo autohtone dendroflore na području Topčidera potrebno je reprodukovati i šire primeniti pri rekonstrukciji i uređenju postojećih javnih zelenih površina.`

This paper shows a tree of the European wild pear (Pyrus pyraster (L.) Burgsd.) of imposing dimensions within the species. The tree is located inside the protected area – Topčiderski park. It represents unique natural and cultural heritage of Belgrade city and Republic of Serbia. According to folktales, knez Miloš Obrenović had planted the tree several years after the Konak was built (1831-1834), hence the age of the tree is estimated to be 180 years. ,,Topčider pear’’ with 95 cm DBH and 21 m height, represents specimen of the European wild pear that has exceptional dimensions on the territory of Serbia. The tree has normally developed crown, it’s vigorous and fruitful. As an expression of days of yore ,,Topčider pear’’ has historical and cultural value on the territory of Belgrade. Historical context enables us to perceive in a specific way the value of this unique tree because it represents the expression of transformation of landscape from the first half of 19th century in Belgrade, beside the monumental plane in a vicinity of Knez Miloš’s Konak, of which ,,Topčider pear’’ is considered older. In the vicinity of Konak, originated the first park architecture heritage similar to the European park model. The ,,Topčider pear’’, according to tradition represents autonomous individual collectionar work. This unique tree of indigenous dendroflora in territory of Topčider is needed to be reproduced and wider applied in the reconstruction and arrangement in the existing public green areas.