The arboretums
A glimpse into the world of giant trees
In Heidelberg’s city forest there are two arboretums (collections of exotic tree species), one at Sprunghöhe and the other at Speyerer Hof.
There are circular paths leading through the arboretums which visitors can follow to discover the world of the giant redwoods and gain an awe-inspiring insight into the diverse, tropical-like flora that populated Europe’s forests millions of years ago. When the ice ages came, they destroyed the forests, leaving behind bleak, treeless steppe. Only very slowly did the forests return – but because the continents had drifted apart in the meantime, with the Alps forming an almost impenetrable barrier blocking the trees’ return from the south, this time the number of species was much smaller.
To boost the number of species in the forest, in 1876 Heidelberg’s head forester decided to start planting a number of non-native trees, as a result of which Heidelberg city forest today boasts more than its fair share of exotic trees.
Arboretum 1 (Sprunghöhe) – Impressions of North America
One of the most awe-inspiring trees in the forest is the mighty giant redwood. Originating from North America, this tree features heavily in Native American culture. The designs of the rest areas and of the circular path in Arboretum 1 are inspired by the Native Americans’ understanding of nature, and the harmony in which they lived with the world around them.
The richly detailed totem pole behind the ‘bald eagle’ table brings to mind the unbreakable bond between Man and Nature. At the same time the viewer is free to find his or her own harmony in its various contradictory images and symbols.
Arboretum 2 (Speyerer Hof) – Oriental calm and contemplation
Most of the trees in the arboretum at Speyerer Hof originate from the Middle or Far East, giving this little piece of exotic forest its distinctive character and mood. Attractive places of rest and reflection have been created around the arboretum to encourage encounters with the world of Far-Eastern meditation.
Chinese rulers gathered plants and trees for their gardens for five millennia before Europeans became aware of the beautiful flora of this region. China, Japan and the rest of the Far East were an enigma. Only relatively recently did Europeans become aware of tree species like katsura, dawn redwood, Japanese umbrella pine, momi fir and ginkgo. The first Far Eastern ginkgo trees were first planted in Europe only 200 years ago – just in time for Goethe to write his famous ginkgo poem Gingo biloba, inspired by seeing the plant at Heidelberg Castle.
Directions to the arboretums
Coming by car from the city center, follow Klingenteichstraße towards Gaiberg until you reach the forest car park next to a log cabin. Walk past the log cabin and the rhododendron garden – a sea of color during the blooming reason (May to June). This path will take you directly to the entrance to arboretum 1. Arboretum 2 is reached by following the path Blockhausweg for approximately 1 kilometer starting from the forest car park, or directly from the hospital Klinik Schmieder Speyererhof, a stop on bus route no. 21.
Further information
Flyer arboretum (5.7 MB)
Events, dates and online registration