"The parks surrounding the University are basically a huge open-air laboratory", explained Alexander von Birgelen, Professor of Planting Design and head of the park maintenance team at Hochschule Geisenheim University. Last weekend he took interested members of the public on a tour of the two listed parks as part of the 2019 Open Campus weekend.

The park features one of Europe's largest black walnut trees near the Administration building as well as a variety of spruce with the smallest needles. Some of the trees date from when the parks were first laid out at the turn of the 20th century. Examples of rare varieties include Hovenia dulcis or the oriental raisin tree, an oriental arborvitae and a live oak.

Unusually for Germany, the University is located in Hardiness Zone 8a, added von Birgelen. This means its climate is bordering on being sub-Mediterranean. "It is also on the verge of being arid", he explained – and consequently almost "desert-like" in terms of dryness. The parks surrounding Hochschule Geisenheim University therefore offer a good opportunity to observe what plants cope well in drought conditions. In the context of global warming and longer dry periods, the park is therefore also a crucial indicator of which trees should be planted in urban areas and green spaces in future.

Tours of the park commence on Saturday, September 7, at 1 p.m. and on Sunday at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Meet at the Infopoint in the Administration building. They take around 60 to 90 minutes and are open to all visitors.