Shekvetili Dendrological Park

The dendrological park at Shekvetili opened to the public in 2020 on around sixty hectares of coastal land in Guria, and its distinguishing feature is how it was made: rather than being planted from young stock, it was assembled by lifting large mature trees, some of them very old and very heavy, from sites across western Georgia and transporting and replanting them here, an operation that attracted a good deal of attention and some criticism. The result is a landscaped park that reads as long established from its first season, with lawns, water, a lake, viewpoints and paths through groupings of species, on flat ground a short distance from the Black Sea.

The main sights

• Transplanted mature trees - large specimens moved from across the region.
• A landscaped lake and lawns - the designed park around the plantings.
• Species groupings on the paths - the arrangement of the collection.
• A coastal setting - flat ground near the Black Sea.

When to go

April to October; spring and autumn are best for the planting. Half a day. It is busiest in the summer beach season. Check opening days before travelling.

What to expect

The method of assembling it, by uprooting mature trees from elsewhere, has been widely criticised and some transplants have not survived. It is a designed park rather than a botanical collection with research value. Summer is hot with limited shade in the newer sections.

Nearby

Ureki is south; Kobuleti lies north along the coast.