Budapest’s FŐKERT Celebrates 158 Years and Prepares for Spring
Happy birthday, FŐKERT! Today, Budapest’s beloved gardening and landscaping authority celebrates 158 years of keeping the city green, gorgeous, and downright delightful. And how does a 158-year-old celebrate? With cake? Balloons? Nah—FŐKERT does what it does best: sprucing up the city’s parks and trees to get them ready for spring and summer. Among their many tasks, they’ve given a little extra TLC to one very special resident of Népliget Park: a 70-year-old weeping mulberry tree that’s seen more seasons than most of us have had hot dinners.
A Mulberry Tree with a Story (and Some Serious Swag)
This isn’t just any tree. This is the tree—a graceful, weeping mulberry (Morus alba ‘Pendula’) that’s been hanging out in Népliget for decades, charming visitors with its dramatic branches and sweet, dark berries. But like all aging stars, it needed a little help to keep shining. Enter FŐKERT, armed with tools, expertise, and what we can only assume was a lot of love.
First on the agenda? A custom-built wooden support system to keep those heavy branches from snapping off like your favorite pair of sunglasses on a bad day. But wait—there’s more! They also installed a fancy “Cobra” cable system (yes, it sounds as cool as it is) to stabilize the limbs while letting the tree grow naturally. Think of it as a tree-friendly version of Spanx: supportive but flexible.
And because no makeover is complete without some skincare, they treated a cavity in the trunk with fungicide to slow down decay. It’s like giving the tree an anti-aging cream—except this one actually works.
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Superfood Straight from the Branches
Here’s where things get even better: this mulberry tree isn’t just pretty; it’s productive. Every summer, it serves up black mulberries that are basically nature’s candy. Packed with antioxidants like quercetin and luteolin (don’t worry, you don’t need to pronounce them to enjoy them), these berries are as healthy as they are delicious. Fresh off the branch, dried as a snack, or turned into jam—they’re the gift that keeps on giving. So if you’re in Népliget this summer, swing by for a taste. Just don’t eat too many—you’ll need room for goulash later.
Spring Cleaning on a Citywide Scale
Of course, FŐKERT isn’t stopping at one tree. As part of their spring cleaning extravaganza, they’re planting over 350 new trees across Budapest. From Budakeszi Road to Andrássy Avenue and even Vérmező Park near Buda Castle, the city is getting greener by the day. They’re also working on long-term reforestation projects at Farkaserdő Nature Reserve because apparently saving one park at a time isn’t ambitious enough for these folks.
And let’s not forget their ongoing mission to replace invasive species with native ones—because nothing says “we care” like giving biodiversity a boost while making sure no rogue plants take over the party.
A Birthday Worth Celebrating
As FŐKERT blows out 158 candles today (figuratively speaking—no trees were harmed in this celebration), they’re proving once again why they’re Budapest’s green superheroes. From preserving historic trees like Népliget’s mulberry to planting saplings that will shade future generations, their work is a gift to everyone who loves this beautiful city.
So next time you’re wandering through Budapest’s parks or enjoying the shade of a freshly planted tree, give a little nod to FŐKERT. They’ve been at this for over a century and a half—and they’re just getting started. Happy birthday, you legends!
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