Enea Tree Museum

The Enea Tree Museum is a garden and tree park in Rapperswil-Jona, on the northern shore of Lake Zürich, created by the landscape architect Enzo Enea. It opened in 2010 and is tied to his company's nursery, where mature trees are grown, moved and replanted. The museum presents a selection of these trees as living works of art, each chosen for its shape, age or character, and it is quite unlike a conventional botanical garden. There are no labelled flowerbeds or glasshouses; the focus is on individual trees, many of them large and old, set in carefully designed spaces.

Moving large trees is a speciality of the company, and one of the ideas behind the museum is to show that a tree can be given a second life in a new place. Some specimens are very old and have unusual forms, shaped by decades of growth, pruning or the harsh conditions where they once stood. In the park they are arranged in outdoor rooms, with hedges, lawns and paths guiding the visitor from one group to the next. The design draws on Asian traditions, in which a single tree can be a focus of contemplation, as well as on European garden art. The pattern changes with the seasons: in spring the blossoms of cherries and magnolias, in summer deep shade and green, in autumn a range of reds and golds, and in winter the bare structure of branches.

Alongside the trees, the park has contemporary sculptures by artists from several countries, installed over the years so that art and nature appear together. The works are placed among the trees, in clearings and by ponds, and they change the way you see the surrounding plants, as forms and materials echo or contrast with trunks and leaves. The effect is calm and slightly surreal, and it suits slow walking more than rapid sightseeing. Benches and quiet corners provide places to stop, and the sound of the nearby lake and town is muted by the planting.

The museum is a good addition to a day in Rapperswil-Jona. The old town, with its castle and promenade, is a short ride or walk away, and the rose gardens, the lake shore and the Knies Kinderzoo are other possible stops. Because the museum is privately run, admission is charged and opening days and hours are limited, so check the official website for the current arrangements, including any rules on dogs, photography and events. It is generally closed on Sundays, though this should be confirmed.

It suits garden lovers, art enthusiasts, couples and photographers, and it is a good choice on a day when you want a quiet, reflective outing. Allow one to two hours for a visit. Spring and autumn are the best seasons for colour, and early morning offers the quietest conditions. Wear comfortable shoes, since paths are mainly gravel and grass, and bring a camera for the interplay of light and shape among the trees.