Wirty Arboretum

The Wirty Arboretum, located on the shores of Lake Borzechowskie in the Zblewo municipality, is an important dendrological garden managed by the Regional Directorate of State Forests in Gdańsk. Its history dates back to the 1870s when the forester Adam Putrich established a fruit tree nursery and began research on the naturalization and acclimatization of trees of foreign origin. During this period, a rose collection and the initial areas of the botanical garden were also created. The arboretum was enriched with new tree species and an alpine garden until a hurricane in 1981, which significantly damaged part of its resources. In later years, thanks to cooperation with the Institute of Dendrology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, research and design work continued, allowing for the expansion of the garden. Today, the arboretum covers 33.61 hectares and includes 39 plots, where nearly 145 species of coniferous plants and 310 deciduous species grow. A unique specimen is the only intermediate walnut tree in Poland. The garden is divided into various thematic sections: dendrological, European, American, and Asian, with designated paths through the vegetation. An educational trail has also been created within the arboretum, aimed at teaching about forest types and their protection. It is worth mentioning that the grave of the founder’s son, Adam Putrich, is located on the arboretum grounds. The garden not only serves as a site for research and nature conservation but also fulfills an educational role, deserving attention for its rich floral diversity and significance to local culture and history.