Zenta is rich in various trees. There were a lot of white and black mulberry trees in the beginning of the 19th , planted for the purpose of silkworm rearing, but also white acacia and poplar trees. Later these trees were substituted with other sorts.
In 1905 a row of white and rose-coloured horse-chestnut trees were planted (Aesculus hippocastanum and Ae.x carnea). Many of these struggle for life. Old trees are being substituted with new ones. When flood control areas along the river got reconstructed, every citizen of Zenta were aware of the value of these chestnut trees, which were more than just simple trees. They were the settlement themselves! The symbols of the town. Words of the current city mayor, Rudolf Cegledi are confirming this fact (in Hajnal, 2019): We do not hide the fact that we are proud to be citizens of Zenta, …, and our pride gets to its highest peaks when we stroll down our beautiful walkway with horse-chestnut trees along the Tisza.
The popular promenade with horse-chestnut trees was built in 1984, as the earlier quay from the end of the 19th century was rebuilt and “simplified.”
Locals do relate to these trees, which can be proved by the fact that since 2014 every year they have planted horse-chestnut trees in the local park called Népkert for every baby born in the town.
White horse-chestnut trees got into Central Europe in the 16th century from the Balkans and Asia Minor. This type of tree likes rich, watery soil and lots of light. The polluted air of cities and salty ground do not fit this type of tree. These unfavourable circumstances and the pests cause that leaves turn yellow earlier, and a second blossoming may happen. Rose-coloured horse-chestnut is a hybrid sort. It is more persistent to air and soil pollution as well as pests and leaf-diseases.
There are 109 white and 24 rose-coloured horse-chestnut trees on the Mayfly walkway. The coordinates of the Northest tree are: 46° 56' 02.5" N, 20° 05' 30.2" E, the Southest one is at 45° 55' 38.7" N, 20° 05' 51.3" E (WGSʼ84 coordinate system).
Géza Czékus
References:
Guelmino János (1968): Zenta és környékének növényei, I. Virágosok. Građa za monografiju Sente br. 12. Zenta.
Hajnal Virág (--): A településmarketing útján – Adalékok Zenta középváros helyzetfeltáró vizsgálatához a város hivatalos honlapjának tartalomelemzése segítségével. In: http://kozszov.org.hu/dokumentumok/UMK_2016/2/02_Telepulesmarketing.pdf letöltve 2019-02-22
Guelmino János (2000): Élővilág. In: Szloboda János (ed.): Zenta monográfiája I. Dudás Gyula Múzeum- és Levéltárbarátok Köre: Zenta.
