Trostianets Dendropark

Ivan Skoropadsky began planting at Trostianets in 1834 on flat steppe with almost no trees, and over fifty years built a landscape park of some two hundred hectares: lakes dug and linked, hills raised by hand from the spoil to give the flat ground relief, and a collection of conifers and hardwoods from across the northern hemisphere planted in groups for their form and colour. It is now run by the Academy of Sciences as a dendrological park.

Highlights

• The raised hills - artificial relief built by hand from the lake excavations.
• The conifer collection - species from across the northern hemisphere in designed groups.
• The lakes - linked water bodies dug as part of the original scheme.
• The autumn colour - the planting designed for it, at its best in October.

When to go

May to October is the season, and October is when the designed colour comes together. Spring is good for the water and the fresh growth. Winter access is limited.

Good to know

It is a long way from anywhere and there is little else nearby. Some sections have been neglected and the collection has lost specimens. Labelling is limited.

Nearby

Kachanivka is nearby, and Ichnia is the local town.

Key facts