Between the Kunsthal and the Natural History Museum are two bald cypress trees (Taxodium distichum). These trees were planted around 1860 and were part of the Hoboken estate. Together with the pond in the Museum Park, these are the only remaining elements of the estate, which was decorated in the English landscape style.
Bald cypress is a very strong, large, disease-resistant species that has existed on the earth for millions of years. Here in Rotterdam, one copy is in the pavement and the other in green. Bald cypress trees (Taxodium) are often confused with the water cypress (Metasequoia). However, the needles of the bald cypress are much finer, smaller and more muddled than those of the water cypress.
Did you know?
Next to the Kunsthal are three bronze rabbits, made by Tom Claassen. The rabbits were donated to the Municipality of Rotterdam by the Kunsthal in connection with its ten-year anniversary in 2003. On the south side of the Natural History Museum is a large black crow, a creation by artist Florentijn Hofman.
