Igora Medņa Lāčupes dendroloģiskie stādījumi, Protected dendrological plantation near Apšuciems, Latvia
The protected tree plantation covers 7.2 hectares along the left bank of the Lāčupe River and contains 60 coniferous and 350 deciduous tree species. This planted collection includes trees from different climate zones, showing the breadth of the dendrological gathering.
Engineer Igor Mednis founded the plantation in 1959, collecting tree seedlings from 68 locations across Latvia, the Baltic states, the Soviet Union, Germany, and Poland. This international sourcing shaped the foundation of the current scientific collection.
The site shows Latvia's dedication to studying trees through rare species like Japanese cryptomeria, Lawson cypress, and different maple varieties growing here.
A visit is best made along the Lāčupīte nature trail, which guides you through different sections of the protected area. The walk lets you explore the various tree species and how they are arranged in quieter zones.
The park functions as a plant acclimatization research site with eight protected plant species and valuable insect populations living in the old pine trees. This ecological role makes it more than just a tree collection.
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