EN
Plants used for masking forts, batteries and roads were important part of the fortifications. A key role of those masks was to cover masked object against enemy sight. With the development of artillery the role of masking was still growing. Austro-Hungarian Ministry of Defense, after some local experiments in the ‘90s of the 19th century, in 1903 ordered experiments and reports from that every defensive site in the Monarchy. On its base they developed ‘Instruction for masking’ in 1904. The instruction had given the precise information of what kind of trees and where they supposed to be used for masking purposes as well as for obstacles. In general they used trees in rows planted in front of an object consisting of robinia, spruce, willow and hawthorn. On the scarps of the moat wild roses and blackberries were planted as obstacles. Until now only progressive species of plants survived as the succession of original masks. You can see on forts till now mostly robinia and hawthorn. Mostly robinia and hawthorn can be seen on the forts up to now.