Carya Illinoinensis - pecan nut

"We haven't observed this tree at our place yet. So we chose it out of pure curiosity," explains Anke Panitz: "We want to observe it in Weihenstephan and watch it grow." With a growth height of 30 to 50 metres, a trunk diameter of a good two metres and its mighty, spreading crown, the gardening couple hopes their tree will provide shade for people and animals in future. "We imagine having a snack under the tree one day - together with young, committed people who do the same as we do: enjoy the shade," says Arno Panitz. He and his wife regularly visit the green campus - out of professional interest and in search of inspiration. The 61-year-old is a member of the Friends of the HSWT and also on the advisory board of the Weihenstephan Gardens. He has been visiting the perennial garden since his earliest childhood: his father was also a perennial gardener. Arno Panitz senior and his wife Therese founded the landscaping business with nursery in 1960 after training as a nurseryman. At that time, the perennial production was still small. In 1990, Arno Junior took over the business from his parents and specialised in perennials. In over 60 years, the company has grown into a stately nursery, also known beyond the region.

Anke and Arno Panitz have been married for almost 20 years. The patchwork family includes a total of 12 children. "We don't have to worry about organising free time," says Panitz with a laugh. With a view to the company's success and his large family, he has every reason to do so: in 2014, for example, Stauden Panitz planted and tended the State Horticultural Show in Deggendorf, the Bed Generator 2.0, an app to support bed planning, was launched in 2017 and the third generation is now working in the company.

They work out of a passion for their profession and a deep conviction: "We want soil, plants, insects, birds, mammals and people to be seen as a community. And that open space planning will therefore not be limited to planting plans in the future," Arno Panitz explains his vision. He hopes that future agricultural and forestry concepts will consider ecology and aesthetics in addition to economic goals. "Future generations need a stock of mature trees," adds Anke Panitz. Against this background, it would be essential to know how trees reacted to corresponding environmental conditions to select the right tree.

The arboretum contributes to this. In any case, the Panitz family's pecan tree proves to be a good choice: It was chosen out of curiosity. It will be curiously observed. And all friends of the arboretum will be happy to look out from under its crown - for happy summer picnic rounds in the shade.