Fruit for all at the Rondell

It is as delicious as it is tempting: quickly pick an apple or some cherries between lectures, enjoy the sun and conversation with friends and fellow students on the Rondell, and embark upon the upcoming seminar fortified with plenty of vitamins. At Bayreuth’s University Campus, this has become reality. 16 young fruit trees growing around the Rondell are currently in the height of blossom and set to bear their first fruit this year.

The idea came from Thomas Dabisch, technical assistant at Experimental Physics II, nature lover, and passionate hobby gardener. He paid for it all out of his own pocket, and together with friends, planted a total of 20 trees in autumn 2017. His commitment had met with receptive ears on the University Governing Board, and together with his son Lukas, as well as Mayor of Goldkronach, Holger Bär, and the kids Korbinian and Xaveria promptly realised the planting campaign - receiving additional support from the University's Buildings & Grounds Maintenance unit. Since then, almost all the trees have taken root, four having to be replaced. "Unfortunately, they didn't make it, and we are currently looking for replacements." Thomas Dabisch tends the trees, indeed, he puts a lot of his free time into the meadow orchard. In hot summers, he sometimes has to water the trees at weekends to make sure they don’t dry out. Yet, he doesn't shy away from the responsibility: "I'm grateful for every day that the campus has had its orchard!

On variety and recreational value
When Thomas Dabisch starts talking, it turns out that he has already realised many voluntary nature conservation projects under his own initiative, simply out of personal conviction. Thanks to his efforts, generations of students, teachers, and employees, as well as walkers, will be supplied with the finest fruit to be had. Moreover, the trees will play a major role in shaping the Rondell as a place to spend time. Old varieties of fruit were deliberately chosen, because Dabisch really knows his beans. "We bought the trees from the University's ecological botanical garden and a tree nursery, and deliberately wanted to plant a wide range of trees. So we mainly focused on old varieties that produce good yields and fruit with a wonderfully fruity flavour, which you don't find so often these days. When the trees are buzzing and humming in spring and summer, it's like music to my ears."

Thomas Dabisch already has a new project: a flower meadow that he had planted in his spare time in front of his workshop on campus had to make way for unforeseen renovation work. "I'll plant it again when the opportunity arises so the bees and insects get their smorgasbord back!". This area will then make the green campus of the University of Bayreuth that little bit more sustainable, thanks to yet another small action to make the world a better place.