ZAGREBACKA BANK GIVES ARBORETUM IN TRSTENO 100,000 KUNA

ZAGREB, Aug 28 (Hina) - The Zagrebacka Bank management on Monday granted 100,000 kuna to the Arboretum in Trsteno near Dubrovnik for the reconstruction of this famous botanical garden of unique value, of which more than a half was destroyed in a fire on Sunday. #L# After consultations with Arboretum heads, it was decided that the money would be used for the reconstruction of areas covered by autochtonous vegetation, Aleppo pine and cypress forests, and the reconstruction of a garden grown in the romantic style in the late 19th century. First steps to be taken will be the removal of burned trees and the installation of a new, improved hydrant system, the Zagrebacka Bank said. More than a half of the Arboretum was destroyed in yesterday's fire, including large sections of cypress and Aleppo pine forests and the 19th century garden, which sprawled to the sea with stone flights of stairs. Destroyed in yesterday's fire was the reconstructed part of the Arboretum, which had already been consumed by fire in the Homeland War. The oldest part of the Arboretum - a Renaissance garden dating back to the 15th century - was preserved. An Arboretum botanist, Maja Kovacevic, told Croatian Television last night the Arboretum consisted of two historical parks and two collections, including Mediterranean and exotic plants, with a total of 900 species. The diversity of indigenous, self-grown species in the Arboretum is very high - there are more than 500 species on an area of 25 hectares, Kovacevic said. (hina) jn rml