Černýšovické jalovce

Černýšovické jalovce is a small but remarkable nature reserve located south of the village of Černýšovice, in the Tábor District of the South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. Covering just 1.26 hectares, it protects the largest stand of common juniper in all of southern Bohemia.

Where exactly is the reserve?

The protected area sits roughly 300 meters from the road connecting Černýšovice to the nearby village of Bechyňská Smoleč. It's a quiet, rural corner of the countryside, well off the beaten tourist path, which has helped the site keep its low-key, almost secret character. Its approximate coordinates are 49.315 N, 14.527 E.

Why junipers, and why here?

The reserve is home to more than 300 old specimens of common juniper (Juniperus communis), including a distinctive columnar form of the species. These junipers grow in a cleared strip of forest running beneath high-voltage power lines — the corridor has to be kept free of trees for safety reasons related to the electrical grid, and the resulting open, sun-drenched space turned out to be perfect habitat for this light-loving shrub.

A paradox of nature conservation

What makes Černýšovické jalovce genuinely interesting is the paradox at its core: the reserve exists because of human activity, not in spite of it. Without the regular clearing required to maintain the power line corridor, the site would eventually revert to closed forest, and the junipers — which need abundant light to thrive — would gradually be crowded out by taller trees and shrubs. The infrastructure usually blamed for disrupting landscapes is, in this case, the very thing preserving a valuable natural habitat.

History of protection

The area was officially declared a protected nature reserve in 1988. It falls under the administration of the Regional Authority of the South Bohemian Region (Krajský úřad Jihočeského kraje), which oversees monitoring of the juniper population and maintenance of suitable habitat conditions, including periodic removal of self-seeded trees that could otherwise shade out the low-growing junipers.

What can visitors see?

Visitors encounter an unusual sight: dense stands of junipers several meters tall, growing in the striking columnar shape typical of this local form — quite different from the sprawling, low bushes most people associate with common juniper elsewhere. The site's appeal is primarily botanical and naturalistic, drawing plant enthusiasts and hikers looking for a quiet walk through the countryside around Tábor.

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Černýšovické jalovce reserve? The protected area covers 1.26 hectares.

When was the site given protected status? The reserve was established in 1988.

Why do so many junipers grow here? Because the land beneath the high-voltage power lines must be regularly cleared of trees, creating an open, sunlit space ideal for light-loving junipers.

Is this the only site of its kind in the region? Yes — it holds the largest stand of common juniper in southern Bohemia.

Who manages the reserve? The Regional Authority of the South Bohemian Region (Krajský úřad Jihočeského kraje).