Boruszowice Oaks in Tarnowskie Góry

The Boruszowice Oaks (Dęby Boruszowskie) are a former nature reserve in the valley of the Woda Graniczna, in the northern part of Tarnowskie Góry. The reserve existed in 1953-1992, and the old oaks still grow here today.

Why the reserve was abolished

The forest belonged to the Henckel von Donnersmarck family. The old oak stand was formed of pedunculate oaks up to 27 m tall and aged from 150 to more than 300 years. It was probably protected already in the Donnersmarck era, as may be indicated by the numbering of the ninety-five thickest trees, partly preserved to this day. In 1953 a reserve of 2.32 ha was created.

In the second half of the 20th century the area was damaged by pollution from the zinc works in Miasteczko Śląskie. The old trees began to die, and the reserve was abolished in 1992.

What can be seen here today

Within the boundaries of the former reserve over a dozen old oaks have survived, some of them dead, and young trees and beeches grow beside them. Right next door stand two oaks recognised as natural monuments: one is 27 m tall with a trunk diameter of 478 cm at chest height, the other 27 m and 370 cm. In the middle of the former reserve lies the shallow little valley of the Woda Graniczna with oxbows, where toads, sand lizards and grass snakes, among others, live.

Practical information

• The area is no longer a reserve; check the rules of entry with the forest district or the city office.
• It lies in the northern part of Tarnowskie Góry, near the villages of Boruszowice and Pniowiec.
• In the area is the Głęboki Dół reservoir (about 2 km as the crow flies).