The 16.3-hectare hornbeam-oak forest of the Hajdúböszörmény City Forest has been protected since 1986, which is now also part of the Debrecen-Hajdúböszörmény oak forests Natura 2000 area. Unfortunately, it is not open to the public, as it is located in a closed game park in Debrecen, in the immediate vicinity of the Nagy-tormás clearing. It is possible to view it from the previously mentioned Peres forest house, which requires prior consultation with the relevant hunting company and the forester of Nyírerdő Zrt. It is characteristic of the hornbeam-oak that its wood consists of several species.Mostly pedunculate oak, with gray poplar, field maple, and the ‘eponymous’ candle as a mixed wood. The hornbeam is a very interesting tree species in this area, as it tends to form an association with the oak in the higher hills and mountains.It most likely survived here as an Ice Age relic, of which only one or two dozen can be found in the forest area.
The real nature conservation value of the forest part is the few polychormons of Hungarian lady’s petals (Iris aphylla subsp. hungarica), which still grow naturally here in the wild.This plant, which grows up to half a meter high and has 2-4 dark purple flowers, blooms in late April and May, was first described in 1803 by Pál Kitaibel, a famous Hungarian naturalist and polymath.
The protected part has been fenced off from wild animals by the owners of the area, so you have to climb over the wild fence even during nature conservation walks.But unfortunately, here and there wild animals also get through it, despite the mechanical protection. The area is marked on the western corner with an oval sign