Helping to Bring Original Fruit Tree Varieties Back to the Krkonoše
Fruit trees are disappearing from the landscape in general. The Krkonoše National Park Administration, our long-standing partner, is working to reverse this trend. Original fruit varieties — those that once grew by every cottage — are gradually being replanted across the Krkonoše landscape. Thanks to the project Návrat starých ovocných odrůd do Krkonoš (The Return of Old Fruit Varieties to the Krkonoše), which we have now supported financially for the second time, more than 50 new fruit trees were added at the end of October.
Fifty saplings were successfully planted above Vrchlabí in 2023, and on 29 October this year, volunteers from the ŠKODA AUTO plant in Vrchlabí joined forces with the KRNAP administration to plant another fifty along the St Barbara educational trail in Černý Důl.
Part of the project is to ensure follow-up care for the trees over the next three years. These are often unique varieties that are no longer commonly seen in the Krkonoše. “We're planting plums, pears, cherries and apples. The public can look forward to local favourites such as Podzvičinská apples or Holovouské malinové,” says Robin Böhnisch, Director of the KRNAP Administration.
“We believe that preserving original fruit varieties through plantings in the landscape is essential for maintaining biodiversity and safeguarding cultural heritage. This initiative, which our endowment fund has joined, not only contributes to protecting endangered fruit varieties but also supports traditional farming practices and strengthens the connection between people and nature. In this way we contribute to the sustainable development of our landscape and ensure that future generations will still be able to enjoy its natural wealth,” says Ladislav Kučera, Director of the ŠKODA AUTO Endowment Fund.
The old fruit tree varieties of the Krkonoše are historically cultivated species characterised by high resistance to the harsh local conditions. These varieties — often apples, pears or plums — adapted to the cold mountain climate and were a part of traditional Krkonoše gardens and orchards. They have a distinctive flavour, are often more resistant to disease, and require less intensive care than modern commercial varieties.
You can find more about these unique varieties in the brochure here:
