Old Oaks

Old Oaks (Staré duby) is a nature reserve located right next to the village of Plešice, in the Třebíč district of the Vysočina Region in the Czech Republic. The protected area covers 55.2 hectares and stretches across an elevation range of 380 to 460 metres above sea level, on slopes descending toward the Dalešice reservoir. The reserve was formally established on 10 October 2017 by a decision of the Vysočina Regional Council and is managed by the Nature and Landscape Protection Agency of the Czech Republic (AOPK ČR). Under the IUCN classification system, the site falls into Category IV, meaning it is managed primarily for the conservation of specific habitats and species.

What exactly does the reserve protect?

The name "Staré duby" ("Old Oaks") points directly to the reserve's core purpose: safeguarding stands of old oak trees growing across several distinct forest types. Within its boundaries, the reserve combines Hercynian oak-hornbeam woodland, warmth-loving oak forest, acidophilous dry oak forest, and scree forest that develops on stony, sun-exposed slopes. This mosaic of habitats gives the reserve a surprisingly high level of biodiversity for its modest size, ranging from hot, dry microhabitats to cooler, moister sections of the hillside.

Which plants grow here?

The forest floor supports species such as the common snowdrop, two-leaf squill, and plants typical of warmth-loving shrub communities, including spindle and alpine currant. Their presence reflects the reserve's varied microclimate: some slopes are strongly sun-exposed and dry, while others remain shaded and more humid, allowing species with very different habitat requirements to coexist within a relatively small area.

What wildlife lives in the reserve?

The old, hollow-bearing oaks make this an important breeding site for birds. Species recorded here include the tawny owl, black woodpecker, green woodpecker, collared flycatcher, and the eagle owl, one of Europe's largest birds of prey. The reserve is also a refuge for invertebrates — spiders, beetles (including jewel beetles), and butterflies such as the grayling. This richness of fauna is directly tied to the presence of old, dying, and dead wood, which provides nesting hollows, deadwood habitat, and food sources.

Why is it worth visiting?

Old Oaks appeals to visitors looking for contact with a relatively undisturbed, mature deciduous forest rather than built-up tourist infrastructure — the reserve has no extensive trail network or viewpoints, and its value lies instead in the naturalness of its old-growth stands and species diversity. The proximity of the Dalešice reservoir adds to the scenic setting, and the quiet, lightly visited location makes it a good spot for birdwatching or simply walking among old trees.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the Old Oaks reserve located? Next to the village of Plešice, in the Třebíč district of the Vysočina Region in the eastern Czech Republic.

How large is the protected area? The reserve covers 55.2 hectares and lies at an elevation of 380–460 metres above sea level.

Since when has the area been protected? It was established on 10 October 2017 by a decision of the Vysočina Regional Council.

What is the main conservation target? Old oak stands — Hercynian oak-hornbeam woodland, warmth-loving and acidophilous dry oak forest, and scree forest — together with the plant and animal species they support, especially birds nesting in old trees.

Who manages the reserve? The Nature and Landscape Protection Agency of the Czech Republic (AOPK ČR).