One Tree Can Do It!

In the summer, the relief from the heat in shady places with respect to sunny places makes it possible and enjoyable to spend time in nature, and reminds us that when it’s hot we don’t have to spend long periods of time only in air-conditioned spaces. We searched the entire Nature Park, together with Dr. Tzach Glasser, Nature Park Manager, and marked trees that always provide shade, a breeze, and space for a picnic blanket.
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The carob tree at Spring Trail

The Nature Park invites you for a hike and picnic during all seasons of the year. In the summer you can do your hike early in the morning or in the evening; many of the region’s residents come here regularly for a walk, a run, or to walk their dogs. During the hot season we invite you to wade in the spring at Ein Zur and sit down to rest under a nice, shady tree. We recommend that you bring your picnic blanket and cool box to one of the shady trees that we’ll tell you about shortly, and not pass up the opportunity – even in the summer – to spend time in nature. The trees we’ve selected do not require a long walk from the car, and spending time under them provides significant relief from the heat.

The big oak, the carob, and the orchard – the blue trail (Spring Trail)

Besides the pool at Ein Zur, whose water will cool you down, you should also get to know some of the amazing trees near the blue trail.

The first one is the carob tree, right under the pool at Ein Zur (when you go up the trail from the direction of Keramim School and reach the bathhouse area, the tree is on the right). You can identify it by its downward-sloping canopy that provides wonderful shade. When you lie down under the beloved carob tree you feel a pleasant breeze; you could spend time here even during the middle of the day when the sun beats down right next to the tree – combined with a wade in the pool and a ‘wet’ hike along the aqueduct it’s an ideal way to have fun with children.

The trees we’ve selected do not require a long walk from the car, and spending time under them provides significant relief from the heat.

The big oak

The big oak is also a spectacular tree that provides shade, with two inviting benches below it. This tree, of the species, Quercus ithaburensis (Tabor oak), has had quite an eventful life over the last few hundreds of years, growing next to the spring. About eight years ago it fell into distress and was given loving, dedicated medical treatment, including controlled burning and smoking of the interior of the hollow trunk to eradicate pests and aeration of the soil. The oak recovered, but about three years ago, it suffered several short episodes of desiccation, which were treated by summer irrigation. This location also provides a beautiful lookout over the surrounding environment. And if we’re talking about trees along the Spring Trail, you’re welcome to get to know the orchard above Ein Zur, which is being organised and nurtured and is already beginning to provide shade;

the pergolas in it are also being renewed. Dr. Tzach Glasser, the Nature Park Manager, says that a decision was made to repair this area, which actually comprises ancient terraces: ‘In the 1980s, there was a plan to recreate an ancient orchard, but it was abandoned and now we’ve returned to it. There were grapevines that died; we pruned and fixed up the two remaining ones, and we planted new ones that are already sprouting’. The other trees that were planted in the orchard are citrus, mostly hushash (inedible orange) on which other citrus trees were grafted, including grapefruit, red grapefruit, pomelo, orange, shamuti (a variety of seedless orange), navel orange, and even clementine and grapefruit on the same tree. These joined the almond, mulberry, olive, carob, fig, pistachio and pomegranate trees that are now receiving targeted treatment including tilling and pruning and periodic testing for pests.

In the 1980s, there was a plan to recreate an ancient orchard, but it was abandoned and now we’ve returned to it.

Gabi Schiller Grove

The Stream Trail, that branches off the blue Spring Trail, is a short, shady section of trail along which an attempt was made to reconstruct an aquatic habitat for water plants and amphibians. The trail passes over wooden bridges, and next to and under plane-trees and fig trees. There isn’t anywhere to sit down for a picnic here, but you’ll find wonderful shade, quiet, and a surprising microclimate.

Gabi Schiller Grove, the carob trees – the red trail (Manor Trail)

On the red trail, after ten minutes of walking along an exposed trail, you’ll find pleasant shade in the Gabi Schiller Grove. This is a unique grove of pines in which dozens of pine ecotypes (different individuals of the same species) were planted; today they are at least 50 years old. The trees were planted by the forester Gabi Schiller, the son of the planner of Ramat Hanadiv Gardens, Uriel (Otto) Schiller, who won the tender to plan the project in 1936. Schiller the son was appointed to the committee that was set up in the 1980s to plan the Nature Park. The grove is shady and pleasant – come and visit it!

The Stream trail - you’ll find wonderful shade, quiet, and a surprising microclimate.

Just before the entrance to Horvat ‘Aqav there is a grove shady carob trees that are looked after with devotion, including the ancient carob that broke during the winter of 2023 and is now supported by two poles.

The pines in the Sustainability Garden, the pergola and the olive grove – the green trail (Vulture Trail)

Just after you start walking along the green trail, you’ll reach a circle of rocks under a group of large pine trees. This is a wonderful place for a short rest close to the Visitors Pavilion, which is not at the heart of the action, and provides shade from the pine trees and rocks to sit on. The place is also used as a nature learning space for preschool groups, school students, and educators visiting Ramat Hanadiv. Another spot for resting in the shade further along the trail includes a pergola and an olive grove, and is easily accessible. We invite you to enter the grove and enjoy the shade under one of the olive trees.

Close to the carpark – in a large, pleasant, shady grove of pine trees – you can bring your cool box and reusable utensils and grab a table under one of the trees.

The picnic area at Ramat Hanadiv

Close to the carpark – in a large, pleasant, shady grove of pine trees – you can bring your cool box and reusable utensils and grab a table under one of the trees.

Here, you’ll find shade and a breeze during all hours of the day.

Many families come here to begin or end their visit to the Gardens and the Nature Park or come just to enjoy an organised, comfortable place for a picnic (the only location at Ramat Hanadiv where you’re allowed to make a barbecue), including KKL tables, rubbish bins and a dish-washing station.

The anti-shade spot

This is not a place to come to for shade, but for inspiration and thought. This is a very special place. When we thought about trees that give shade, Tzach was reminded of the lone cypress. Once there were many cypress trees here, but with time they were removed. The surrounding field is currently used for crops such as oats, to feed the goats. This cypress remains alone not because it was forgotten, but due to the special approach of Hugo Jan Trago, the outgoing CEO of Ramat Hanadiv, who asked to leave it there. Instead of burdening you with explanations, we’ll let the songs do the talking. Tzach, the Nature Park Manager, dreams that one day a sign will be installed here with the words of the song, Cypress, by Ehud Manor

Shady trees along the cycle trails at Ramat Hanadiv

Those who pedal also deserve to stop for a rest under a tree with a shady canopy, and let go of the handlebars and seat, and if there’s a view – the benefit doubles. Tzach recommends planning a stop under two trees: the giant carob in the olive collection grove, on the blue cycle trail (adjacent to the red walking trail) and the carob tree on the blue cycle trail at Kebara Stream (adjacent to the green walking trail), a wonderful place to stop and admire the view.

By the way, Tzach has a reason for recommending a break under a carob tree. He has a soft spot for carob trees: ‘They have a nice trunk, you can eat from them, and the goats are also “crazy” about them’.