Silvanus Forestry was founded by Jenő Németh in 1980 (as Silvanus Group), initially working in both forestry and the production and sale of ornamental plants. Imported to Europe in 1601 by French Botanist Jean Robin, Robinia pseudoacacia now makes up 25% of Hungary’s forest area. In 1990, Silvanus began research and development in black locust genetics, with 50,000 progeny-tested seedlings from elite and improved parent trees. The best specimens showed a 100-200% increase in growth rate after 14 years. These trees served as the groundwork for Silvanus’ continued research and selection of a handful of outstanding clones that exhibit a straight growth form and reach up to 13-15 inches DBH after only 15 years. Propagate has imported the Obelisk Group back into North America, under an exclusive license in the United States.