Rivne oblast – In the environs of the village of Klesiv, Sarny raion, there is a beautiful and luxurious arboretum. It covers an area of five-hectares, and was created by a single person, Oleksii Voron. It contains exotic bushes and trees: juniper, thuya, yew, box-tree... But only the hands of the original landscape designer, who uses garden scissors and his imagination, make the plants acquire wonderful forms and turn into living sculptures. Voron’s public park shows how beautiful our land can be if one treats it with love.
The length of the green fence, which is regularly cut, is 2,692 meters. Some 20 years ago there was a forestry building there. Now people from all over Ukraine come to see the miraculous park, including delegations from Belarus, Poland, Germany, and France.
In Soviet times there was a popular expression “to leave one’s trace on the earth.” An enthusiast and nature lover, Voron who is 76 years old, has planted hundreds of trees and bushes, leaving a nearly three-kilometer-long trace.
“My father, in times of Polish rule, worked at the forestry. We lived 30 kilometers from Kholm. I remember very well that a forester was treated with much respect, people called him ‘Pan gajowy’ (Sir, Forester). He wore a nice-looking uniform. That is why my love to this profession started back in my childhood. In August 1959, after graduating from the Lviv Forestry Engineering Institute, I came to work in the Klesiv State Forestry,” the lively and vigorous man explained. “I have worked here for 51 years and 36 days,” Voron said smiling.
In that time he has worked at different posts: from forester assistant, engineer-economist to chief forester of the state forestry.
“There used to be only an office building there. There were no paths, or asphalt, I had to start everything from scratch. Two rows of fir-trees led to the administrative building, further there was a plot of land,” Voron recalled.
“Once I went on a business trip to Volyn’s forestry in Hraddia, Manevytsia raion. There an old forester planted a 150-meter-long green fence and showed me how to cut it in a beautiful way and make diffirent shapes. This was the starting point. I immediately desired to make an even better creation. I planted my first alley and every year extend it by 100-150 meters. One has to wait for several years until the green fence grows. When they reach a 50-centimeter height, you can form figures. But I use only evergreen plants, over 50 species on the whole, including thuyas, pines and fir-trees.”
According to the master, one look at a tree is enough for him to see what can be made of it, and what form will suit it best.
Over 20 years ago Voron grew interested in garden-park design. He sought information both in Ukraine and abroad, and traveled to learn the fundamentals of green architecture. He went to St. Petersburg, the Baltic States, visited many parks and nature preserves. Now others come to see him and gain experience.
The employees of the Kyiv Botanic Garden, who came there on excursion and were impressed with what they saw, called the creation of the Klesiv forester a piece of Versaille corner in Polissia.
“Many people ask the same questions: From where to start? What plants are best? During these years I have generalized my experience and published the book Green Architecture of Rivne, Polissia,” the master explained, “Once I was told that the Crimea has the Prince Voronin Palace, and Klesiv — forester Voron’s arboretum,” Voron said smiling.
“It is very pleasant that young people come here frequently,” the master rejoices, “Newlyweds cover 100 kilometers to take photos here. A couple even came from Belarus. After such visits I am charged with positive energy, which extends my life by a week.”
When we heard the story of the Klesiv designer, we were surprised and amazed at how the person loves his profession.
Ukraine has 1,500 forest areas. How many beautiful and unique arboretums could be made! But only Klesiv is lucky to have the enthusiast Voron. The head of the State Committee of Forest Areas Mykola Shershun took interest in the forester’s experience; he brought heads of oblast departments there.
“I delivered a speech for them. They took my phone number and promised to invite me so that I can show them on the spot, but nobody has called me as yet,” designer went on.
Voron is an inexhaustible optimist. To mark his 60th anniversary he planted a fruit orchard consisting of 60 trees, yielding a rich harvest. There are many things in Klesiv that one can feast one’s eyes on. Once you get tired of wandering around the arboretum, you can rest on a sofa made of thuya, juniper, or fir-tree.
