Lokalita břízy ojcovské u Volyně

Lokalita břízy ojcovské u Volyně is a small but botanically remarkable nature reserve in the Krušné hory (Ore Mountains), just outside the village of Volyně, part of the Výsluní municipality in the Chomutov district of the Czech Republic. Covering roughly 1 hectare at an elevation of about 690–720 meters, the site was granted protected status on 17 January 1986. Its sole reason for existing is a single tree species: the critically endangered Oycoviensis birch (Betula oycoviensis), for which this is the only confirmed site anywhere in the country.

What makes this site so unusual?

The Oycoviensis birch is easy to overlook. It has small leaves, drooping, weeping branches, and a compact, often shrub-like growth habit that makes it resemble the far more common silver birch at first glance. Botanists only identified it in the Krušné hory in the 1970s, though later research revealed that specimens from this exact area had already been collected — under a different name — decades earlier. The discovery is a reminder of how a rare species can hide in plain sight if nobody is specifically looking for it.

Within the reserve, several dozen individual trees grow scattered across three distinct clusters: some stand on an old pasture, others along the boundary between forest and meadow, and a smaller group clings to a rocky outcrop deeper in the woods. This fragmented distribution makes the population sensitive to changes in land use — both the overgrowth of abandoned pastures and overly intensive forestry could put the remaining trees at risk.

Practical notes for visiting

A forest path leads from the village of Volyně to one of the two protected sections; the second, smaller section lies about 200 meters north of that trail. The area is freely accessible to walkers, though as with any nature reserve, visitors are expected to stay on marked paths and avoid disturbing the vegetation.

This is a destination for people genuinely interested in botany and mountain ecosystems rather than a classic scenic viewpoint. It pairs well with a broader trip through the Krušné hory, a region known for both its unusual flora and its long mining history. Spring and early summer are the best times to visit, when the birches are in full leaf and their distinctive drooping crowns are easiest to appreciate.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Oycoviensis birch and why does it matter? It is a critically endangered birch species with small leaves and drooping branches. The site near Volyně is its only known location in the Czech Republic, which makes this modest patch of land essential to the species' survival.

How many trees grow in the reserve? Several dozen individuals grow in three groups: on a former pasture, along the forest-meadow boundary, and on a rocky outcrop within the forest.

Is the reserve open to the public? Yes, it can be visited freely via a forest path from Volyně, though visitors should stick to marked routes and avoid stepping off-trail, as in any protected natural area.

When is the best time to visit? Spring and early summer, when the trees are fully leafed out and the birch's characteristic weeping shape is most visible.