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| identity_of_trees_walks [2014-08-17 17:16] – rasa | identity_of_trees_walks [2014-08-28 19:26] – [*Imaginary tree rue Dansaertstraat] rasa | ||
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| - | ====== Walk & Become a Member of the Silent Political Party of Trees ====== | + | ====== Walk & Become a Member of the Silent Political Party of Trees (work-in-progress) |
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| Any one of us can join the silent political Party of Trees by completing one of these walks and by listening to the stories the chosen trees are telling you. | Any one of us can join the silent political Party of Trees by completing one of these walks and by listening to the stories the chosen trees are telling you. | ||
| - | By chosing | + | By choosing |
| Giving your trust to trees is very easy: they will not abuse your rights, you will still have the right to cut their limbs, when that seems to be necessary for your own survival. | Giving your trust to trees is very easy: they will not abuse your rights, you will still have the right to cut their limbs, when that seems to be necessary for your own survival. | ||
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| ===== A little introduction ===== | ===== A little introduction ===== | ||
| - | During this walk you will meet the trees who gave birth to the Silent Political Party of Trees. These trees are part of the Forêt de Soignes/ | + | During this walk you will meet the trees who gave birth to the Silent Political Party of Trees. These trees are part of the Forêt de Soignes/ |
| - | The trees that belong to this forest enjoy exclusive rights compared to other trees in the Brussels' | + | The trees that belong to this forest enjoy exclusive rights compared to other trees in the Brussels' |
| They decided to found the silent Political Party of Trees. The first idea they whispered in their leaves was to consider them as ' | They decided to found the silent Political Party of Trees. The first idea they whispered in their leaves was to consider them as ' | ||
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| // The best way to listen to the oak, is to stand against it, touching its strong scarred skin. // | // The best way to listen to the oak, is to stand against it, touching its strong scarred skin. // | ||
| - | Please meet the oak, the father, priest | + | Please meet the oak, the judge and the guardian of the world. |
| Tree of the past, the present and the future. This oak has lived more than 100 years and will survive us by another 150 to 200 years if the climate does not change too drastically. | Tree of the past, the present and the future. This oak has lived more than 100 years and will survive us by another 150 to 200 years if the climate does not change too drastically. | ||
| Oak grows as deep as it grows tall. | Oak grows as deep as it grows tall. | ||
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| One grown oak is equivalent to a metropole as big as New York. It can have up to 350 different communities of species living in, on, around and from him. | One grown oak is equivalent to a metropole as big as New York. It can have up to 350 different communities of species living in, on, around and from him. | ||
| - | Among the sacred trees in many legends, the mighty oak stands noble and tall as The Tree of Life. The oak tree in folklore and myths represents great symbolic meanings to the pantheons of mythology, to the druids, the faeries, and many cultures around the world. It is the representative of truth and justice. | + | Among the sacred trees in many traditions, the oak has been the tree under which many disputes have been resolved, many truths have been discovered and many legends have been situated. The mighty oak stands noble and tall as The Tree of Life. The oak tree in folklore and myths represents great symbolic meanings to the pantheons of mythology, to the druids, the faeries, and many cultures around the world. It is the representative of truth and justice. |
| It is a slow grower. So it is all about time. | It is a slow grower. So it is all about time. | ||
| Just imagine growing trough your life so slowly that 500 years can fly by. Imagine species, landscape situations you could witness. Well Oak does. It is a time machine. If we learn its language, we will take on the habit of looking back, living now and projecting ourselves in a far future, and all this at the same moment. We will discover a very different history from the one we know now. | Just imagine growing trough your life so slowly that 500 years can fly by. Imagine species, landscape situations you could witness. Well Oak does. It is a time machine. If we learn its language, we will take on the habit of looking back, living now and projecting ourselves in a far future, and all this at the same moment. We will discover a very different history from the one we know now. | ||
| - | // Take your own time with the oak. Once you're done, walk on and concentrate on yourself, your breath, your heartbeat, your body, your rhythm. // | + | // The oak welcomes you. Take your own time with the oak. Once you're done, walk on and concentrate on yourself, your breath, your heartbeat, your body, your rhythm. // |
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| {{: | {{: | ||
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| The elder is beneficial not only to the animals. | The elder is beneficial not only to the animals. | ||
| People have been using it for ages. | People have been using it for ages. | ||
| - | Not only enjoying the sweet smell and the taste of the blossom in teas and syrups, but also making jams and jenever from the berries. | + | Not only enjoying the sweet smell and the taste of the blossom in teas and syrups, but also making jams, sweets |
| - | // When you walk on, pick something up and keep it warm.// | + | As a member of the silent political Party of Trees, the elder symbolizes the positive attitude towards solving the little obstacles of daily life, so you can enjoy the simple beauty of the moment here and now. Whisper your worry in its leaves and wait for your inspiration to whisper back the solution. The elder guarantees you can keep on breathing and helps you to liberate the breath of life. |
| + | |||
| + | // While you walk on to meet the next trees, think of your house and all the things made of wood.// | ||
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| - | ==== * The Kissing | + | ==== * The Loving |
| {{: | {{: | ||
| + | |||
| + | // Embrace this beautiful couple of trees, look through their eyes to the peaceful lake and you'll know that strength is not power and power is not strength, they need each other to feel in balance // | ||
| + | |||
| + | // When you walk on, pick something up and keep it warm.// | ||
| === * Hornbeam, haagbeuk, le charme, carpinus betulus === | === * Hornbeam, haagbeuk, le charme, carpinus betulus === | ||
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| {{: | {{: | ||
| + | Please meet the most muscular of all trees, the hornbeam. Not only does its trunk look like the arm of Jerom, but its wood is a very hard timber, hence the name iron-wood. Its outer strength combines with integrity, and it is no coincidence that this hornbeam has chosen for an intimate relationship with a ash, a tree that stands for inner strength and rooted wisdom. | ||
| - | gespierde jerom | + | The hornbeam has many friends, |
| - | friends: meikever, boomklever en bosmuizen houden v an deze boom | + | |
| - | duties: hout wordt gebruikt voor hakblokken in slagerij, stampers, kammen | + | |
| - | character: integriteit, | + | |
| - | // Look at trees as if they were individuals | + | The common English name of hornbeam derives from the hardness of the wood - likened to horn - and the Old English beam. |
| + | Hornbeam is almost white, patterned with lovely flecks and swirls in its grain. When well finished, it is very smooth and often compared to ivory. | ||
| + | Hornbeam is rarely used for general carpentry because | ||
| + | Hornbeam burns well and makes good firewood and charcoal. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Often confused with common beech, the bark is pale grey with vertical markings, sometimes with a short, twisted trunk, which develops ridges with age. In French there is a funny riddle that helps you remember the difference between a beech (hêtre) with more hairy leaves and a hornbeam (charme) with little teeth on the leaves (à dents): 'Le charme d'Adam est d' | ||
| + | |||
| + | Hornbeam is monoecious, meaning male and female catkins are found on the same tree. After pollination by wind, female catkins develop into papery, green winged fruits, known as samaras. | ||
| + | A hornbeam is also known to be trimmed as hedges, it will keep its leaves all year round, providing shelter, roosting, nesting and foraging opportunities for birds and small mammals. | ||
| + | A tonic made from hornbeam was said to relieve tiredness and exhaustion, and its leaves were used to stop bleeding and heal wounds. | ||
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| {{: | {{: | ||
| + | "Know yourself and you will know the world." | ||
| + | This ancient Druid phrase describes to us how we are linked to our world, and how the Ash was seen as spanning the world around us and within each of us. | ||
| + | |||
| + | This is the message the Ash gives you: | ||
| + | You are strong enough to stand alone | ||
| + | and triumph over difficulties | ||
| + | like the rugged Ash | ||
| + | tolerating nothing poisonous | ||
| + | within its strongly branched shadow. | ||
| + | The medicinal sap within its buds and bark | ||
| + | |||
| + | show that you have the power | ||
| + | to easily remedy a situation. | ||
| + | You firmly cling to what you know is right, | ||
| + | just as the dense, fibrous roots of the Ash | ||
| + | grasp the earth that holds them. | ||
| + | You are safe from harm in the same way | ||
| + | that when the Ash is cut down, | ||
| + | it revives easily and springs up | ||
| + | as a young sapling. | ||
| + | You may soon be spreading your wings | ||
| + | and taking flight to new pastures, | ||
| + | like the winged Ash seeds carried | ||
| + | by the winds of Fall. | ||
| + | You are connected to the web of life and your every thought and action reverberates on that web affecting your reality. | ||
| + | [Tree Magick by Gillian Kemp, http:// | ||
| + | |||
| + | The Ash tree (Old Irish “Nin,” genus Fraxinus) is a large deciduous shade tree with grey-brown bark furrowed in diamond patterns. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The resilience and rapid growth made the ash an important resource for smallholders and farmers. It was probably the most versatile wood in the countryside with wide-ranging uses. Until World War II the trees were often coppiced on a ten-year cycle to provide a sustainable source of timber for fuel and poles for building and woodworking. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The colour of the wood ranges from creamy white to light brown, and the heart wood may be a darker olive-brown. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Ash timber is hard, tough and very hard-wearing, | ||
| + | |||
| + | The light colour and attractive grain of ash wood make it popular in modern furniture such as chairs, dining tables, doors and other architectural features and wood flooring. | ||
| + | Source: wikipedia | ||
| + | |||
| + | It is recorded that on the Isle of Bute in Scotland lovers used to eat leaves of an ash tree known at the " | ||
| + | |||
| + | Ash bark can make an infusion that is a mild laxative and diuretic. The rood bark is the most potent with astringent properties, and was used to treat liver diseases and arthritic rheumatism. | ||
| + | |||
| + | === Myths and Legends === | ||
| + | |||
| + | The ash belongs to the trilogy of sacred Irish trees, the other two being the Oak and the Hawthorne tree. Ash is the tree of rebirth, of protection and divination. Druid wands were often made of ash or hazel and Yygdrasill, the World Tree, is thought to be an ash. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The staff of the good god and chief of the Tuatha De Dannon, the Dagda, is believed to be made of ash wood. In County Limerick, the Lios is the largest stone circle in Ireland. Constructed in about 2500 BC, a limestone outline of the Dagda’s staff was found in the foundation of the circle when it was excavated. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The “Branching Tree of Uisneach” planted by Fintan the Ancient was an ash. Standing upon the mythological fifth province of Ireland, the Uisneach Ash would have been the centre point of Ireland, performing in wood what the Umbilicus Hiberniae; the centre stone of Ireland did as it also lay upon the Hill of Uisneach. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The “Sacred Tree of Creevna” was an ash, and a surviving descendent of that great tree was taken piece by piece to America with emigrants escaping the Great Hunger. Ash protects against drowning and oars and coracle slats were often made of ash. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The handle of a witch’s besom is made of ash as mother, to enable the traveler to traffic between the worlds of the sidhe and the worlds of the sky. Ash represents the letter “N” in the ogham alphabet and the third tree month from February 18 to March 17. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Some traditions of magic hold that the leaf of an Ash tree will bring you good fortune. Carry one in your pocket - those with an even number of leaflets on it are especially lucky. | ||
| + | In some folk magic traditions, the ash leaf could be used to remove skin disorders such as warts or boils. As an alternate practice, one could wear a needle in their clothing or carry a pin in their pocket for three days, and then drive the pin into the bark of an ash tree - the skin disorder will appear as a knob on the tree and disappear from the person who had it. | ||
| + | The spear of Odin was made from an Ash tree, according to the Norse poetic eddas. | ||
| + | Newborn babies in the British Isles were sometimes given a spoonful of Ash sap before leaving their mother' | ||
| + | Five trees stood guard over Ireland, in mythology, and three were Ash. The Ash is often found growing near holy wells and sacred springs. Interestingly, | ||
| + | In some European folklore, the Ash tree is seen as protective but at the same time malevolent. Anyone who does harm to an Ash can find themselves the victim of unpleasant supernatural circumstances. | ||
| + | In northern England, it was believed that if a maiden placed ash leaves under her pillow, she would have prophetic dreams of her future lover. | ||
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| - | // The branches of the hazel are very flexible and strong, find out for yourself: touch, bend, climb // | + | // Stand under the hazel leaves, be as silent as possible, listen to the wind dancing in its leaves |
| Please meet the witch of the forest. | Please meet the witch of the forest. | ||
| - | Down through the ages the Hazel has always been considered magical, and was used primarily for its powers of divination. | + | |
| + | Down through the ages the Hazel has always been considered magical, and was used primarily for its powers of divination. | ||
| + | |||
| + | In August this Hazel forms a roof of branches and leafs in collaboration with its collaegue hazels. They form a network for the red squirrels, who jump as acrobats from one branch to another. Often they can be heard above, where they cut off the hazelnuts with their sharp teeth, and parts of the nutshells happen to whirl down on you. | ||
| It was believed that hazelnuts contained a concentration of wisdom and poetic inspiration. There are several variations on an ancient tale that nine hazel trees grew around a sacred pool, dropping nuts into the water to be eaten by some salmon (a fish revered by Druids) which thereby absorbed the wisdom. The number of bright spots on the salmon were said to indicate how many nuts they had eaten. | It was believed that hazelnuts contained a concentration of wisdom and poetic inspiration. There are several variations on an ancient tale that nine hazel trees grew around a sacred pool, dropping nuts into the water to be eaten by some salmon (a fish revered by Druids) which thereby absorbed the wisdom. The number of bright spots on the salmon were said to indicate how many nuts they had eaten. | ||
| Hazel has long been a favourite wood from which to make staffs, whether for ritual Druidic use, for medieval self defence. Hazel shafts were used for water divining, and this practice evolved into the making of pilgrims’ staffs, shepherds’ crooks and walking sticks. | Hazel has long been a favourite wood from which to make staffs, whether for ritual Druidic use, for medieval self defence. Hazel shafts were used for water divining, and this practice evolved into the making of pilgrims’ staffs, shepherds’ crooks and walking sticks. | ||
| + | The wood burns well and offers great charcoal useful for drawing. The branches are extremely flexible and can be used for weaving baskets and fences. Thousands of years ago, fishermen boats were made of hazel, covered with peltry. The woven branches were also the basis of clay huts, attached to poles and covered with clay and hay. | ||
| + | Hazel was also used for hoops. | ||
| - | // While you walk on to meet the next tree, think of your house and all the things made of wood.// | + | // Look at trees as if they were individuals and think of their variety in race, age, … // |
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| - | roots in water | + | // While listening to the Alder, think of all the things humans construct with wood under water // |
| + | |||
| + | The Alder Tree (Old Irish “Fern,” genus Alnus) is a somber deciduous tree with dark bark, which is most comfortable along waterways and streams. It is able to fix atmospheric nitrogen and survive when grown in infertile soils. Alder roots enrich the soil, and its timber resists decay. | ||
| + | When immersed | ||
| + | |||
| + | When cut, alder wood turns from white to red and felling of a sacred alder was considered taboo. Dyes were made from its bark, twigs and flowers. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Alder bark treated inflammations, | ||
| + | |||
| + | Alder was sacred to the Druids. The pith is easily pushed out of green shoots to make whistles. Several shoots bound together by cordage, can be trimmed to the desired length for producing the note you want and used to entice Air elementals. The old superstition of " | ||
| + | |||
| + | “The Alder is a tree that supports and protects physically, emotionally, | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | // When you walk on, think of what trees are missing here in the forest // | ||
| - | // think of different ways of reproduction // | ||
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| - | Duties: from cradle to cradle: everything can be used, sap is used for wine, honey, sugar and can be drank in spring as a long-life-elixir; | + | // Observe, touch and peel some of its skin, it is harmless and it allows you to start a fire when there is no dry paper available // |
| - | character: Lady of the Woods, symbol of light, new spring, elegance & grace | + | |
| + | The birch is said to be the Lady of the Woods, the tree of the future. It is a pioneer tree that does not demand for high maintenance, | ||
| + | It symbolizes the idea 'from cradle to cradle': | ||
| + | The skin can be used to light a fire in a wet place, or for shoes, coats, canoes; its wood is used for furniture; leaves and buttons are used for soap, oil, paint. The oil from Birch bark is used for treating skin conditions, and insect repellent. | ||
| - | // what trees are missing? | + | About 2000 years ago the birch was mentioned in teachings of Buddha; the name ' |
| + | |||
| + | The name would also find its origins in the Ghotic ' | ||
| + | Criminals and psychic patients would be beaten with birch rods to chase bad spirits. | ||
| + | |||
| + | In Wales, the birch is a tree of love and wreaths of birch are woven as love tokens, its trunk used for the maypole. Like many trees with protective properties, birch boughs over cradles and carriages protect infants against the glamour of the Little People. | ||
| + | |||
| + | // When you walk on, think of the different ways trees reproduce | ||
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| - | Friends: toads, bats | + | // Try to reach as high as the lork does // |
| - | Duties: wood is used for fences, bats, staircases, telephone poles | + | |
| - | Character: is a pioneer, | + | The larch stands for survival. It was the first species |
| - | check story on tannine | + | |
| + | Larch is the only species of its sort that looses its leafs in winter. Unlike other trees and plants, larch did not evolve | ||
| + | |||
| + | Larch produces one of the toughest woods obtained from conifers and is also resistant to woodworm. It is widely used in construction, | ||
| + | |||
| + | Large quantities of resin are obtained by tapping the trunk. Small holes are bored into the trunk, most resin being obtained from near the centre of the trunk. When properly made, the same borehole can be used for 20 - 30 years. The resin has a wide range of uses including wood preservatives, | ||
| // We thought of birth, when you walk on, think how is death present // | // We thought of birth, when you walk on, think how is death present // | ||
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| - | dominant | + | // Feel the softness of its skin, enjoy its leaves when raining, observe its beauty and grace and in early spring, picture its fluorescent leaves // |
| - | duties: name: in German ' | + | |
| - | character: very sensitive to the wind, low spread roots (vs oak), very thin and soft skin, shuts its trunk with leaves like a coat because otherwise it get sunburned and can die; has a beautiful green in spring (fluo), and buttons | + | Like the Birch, the Beech has a strongly feminine presence, but while birch is a "lady," beech is a queen. Sometimes known as the Mother of the Woods, she stands |
| + | |||
| + | Forêt de Soignes is known as the 'beech cathedral', | ||
| + | 38% of the Forêt de Soignes belongs to the Brussels Region, 56% to Flanders and 6% to Wallonia. Only Brussels has decided to keep part of the 'beech cathedral' | ||
| + | |||
| + | In German ' | ||
| + | Beeches tend to grow their leaves in order to cover all air above them and if necessary, they wear them as a coat along their trunks. This is due to the fact that beeches are highly sensitive to sunlight, and if they' | ||
| + | Being highly sensitive and very graceful, beech is thus also a very dominant species. Not many plants can stand the shade of the beech. And once there are some beeches present in a forest, the spread very quickly. | ||
| + | But one tempest or heavy winds can be enough to make the beech stumble. Unlike the oak, beech roots are very superficial. During walks in Forêt de Soignes, you'll encounter frequently a fallen beech with its roots standing straight up as a natural wall to climb. | ||
| // As a ritual to end this walk and celebrate your membership, find a new place for that something you picked up // | // As a ritual to end this walk and celebrate your membership, find a new place for that something you picked up // | ||
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| ==== Start ==== | ==== Start ==== | ||
| - | La Bourse/De Beurs at Boulevard Anspach laan in the centre of Brussels; you can reach this place by tram 3 or 4. | + | Café De Markten |
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| ===== A little introduction ===== | ===== A little introduction ===== | ||
| + | During this walk you will meet some of the arboreal persona that survive in the centre of this European, Belgian and Flemish capital. We use the word ' | ||
| + | We propose you to meet these rare co-citizens and help them out of their anonimity, by becoming friends with them and adopting them as part of your social network, speak about them as you speak about your friends and family, share their stories. | ||
| - | During this walk you will meet some of the arboreal persona that survive | + | Ownership and management |
| - | more humans than trees | + | The trees you will meet today are being taken care of by the Department of Green Zones of the City of Brussels. This means that they were probably only randomly taken care of before the completion of the inventory system that started in 2011. Newly planted trees have been registered since 2008. |
| - | regional roads | + | |
| - | city roads, different boroughs | + | |
| - | different criteria to plant trees | + | |
| + | Because anything can be created and managed with language and stories. The legal system that rules our worlds is created with those tools. We manage our individual and legal identities every single day. So why would we not be able to create new identities, legally and socially, such an arboral identity for something as lively as a tree? By sharing their stories we make these trees visible as co-citizens, | ||
| + | |||
| + | Trees are our ancestors. Without trees we would never have existed. Trees are the former leaders of this planet and by now, every single human with or without power, knows that we will have to grant them their leadership again, at least partly, if we want to enjoy this planet for some more generations. | ||
| + | People moan about it, are afraid of the consequences it will have on their own lifes. But in fact, granting trees their authority again is not difficult at all. Just learn to reconnect to the energy of the tree, listen to the tree, and you will discover inside your soul all the knowledge, experience, ideas and values that are necessary to melt anxiousness, | ||
| + | |||
| + | // So put in your earplugs, breathe deeply, and slowly put one foot in front of the other. At La Bourse you will meet Prutske, our most legendary co-citizen. // | ||
| - | ===== Enjoy the walk ! ===== | ||
| - | Walk on the square in front of the hotel. Near the road you'll find a stand with the most famous arboreal persona of Brussels. | ||
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| Fig tree, vijgenboom, figuier, Ficus | Fig tree, vijgenboom, figuier, Ficus | ||
| + | {{: | ||
| - | ==== * Elms ==== | ||
| - | the twins | + | Please meet Prutske, |
| + | And what a name. | ||
| + | Prutske is the Flemish Brussels word for 'a tiny little thing of no value' | ||
| + | If anyone knows the story of how this name was given, please contact bxl@fo.am! | ||
| + | Prutske has been registered since 2002, but we don't know his exact age. | ||
| + | The database of Remarkable Trees in Brussels has no legal value yet. The trees listed in here can be added by anyone, if only some criteria are respected. | ||
| + | The best way to greet Prutske is to take away some of the garbage that his roots seem to collect easily. Prutske is said to be in weak condition. So any love you can give in any form will be highly appreciated. | ||
| - | ==== *Wild chestnut ==== | + | So what makes Prutske a remarkable tree? |
| + | |||
| + | First of all, Prutske is a rare migrant. His origins lie near the Mediterranean. A fig tree can only survive in a sunny area and when it is protected from the wind. The presence of this fig tree in the middle of the city centre can be called highly unsuspected and surprising. Secondly, following the database, it is the 3rd biggest fig tree of its species in the Brussels Region. And finally, you can observe fruits – sometimes dry – all year long. Prutske must be a cultivated fig tree, because in order to produce fruits, a fig tree needs the help of the fig wasp, a tiny wasp that cannot survive in our regions. | ||
| + | The symbiotical story of the wasp and the fig tree is beautifully portrayed in The Queen of Trees, Deeble & Stone, 2005. Watch on youtube [[https:// | ||
| - | Leopold | + | // While you walk to the next tree, try to think of the kind of relationships and networks trees maintain in the city. It is very different to the networks of trees in the forest. But after all, just like human beings, trees are at the same time needed and needy. // |
| + | ==== * White Elms, Amerikaanse Iep, Ormes d' | ||
| - | ==== *Imaginary tree Dansart ==== | ||
| + | {{: | ||
| - | ==== *Platanus | + | At the corner |
| + | // You can get to know these elms by watching closely for five minutes the silhouettes of their crowns against the clouds. // | ||
| + | |||
| + | They used to be three, a little sisterhood. The third was removed for security reasons in 2007. The reason is not clear to us yet. Maybe it was affected by the Dutch elm disease. This disease is caused by a member of the sac fungi (Ascomycota) and is spread by the elm bark beetle. Although believed to be originally native to Asia, the disease has been accidentally introduced into America and Europe, where it has devastated native populations of elms which had not had the opportunity to evolve resistance to the disease. The only solution is to cut the ill tree and burn it. In the long term they inject vaccins and cultivate hybrid elms. | ||
| + | |||
| + | All in all, these two elms resisted to long term pollution and illnesses. There heighth, their beauty and their scarcity have brought them to the Brussels Region Government, who voted on the 17th January 2008 for their protection. Looking at what this means, one could say that all trees of Brussels should be on that list: | ||
| + | |||
| + | a) It is prohibited to use, store or produce substances that can cause damage to the development and the growth of the trees, the fauna and flora and the water quality. | ||
| + | |||
| + | b) It is prohibited to place advertising panels. | ||
| + | |||
| + | c) It is prohibitied to light a fire. | ||
| + | |||
| + | d) It is prohibited to leave or store materials, rubble, waste, garbage and rubbish of any kind. | ||
| + | |||
| + | e) Normal maintenance of the tree (cutting dead or broken branches, taking care of wounds) is compulsory. One defines normal maintenance by the size of the broken or damaged branches whose section diameter in their insertion is not larger than 12cm. | ||
| + | |||
| + | f) It is prohibited to trench or highten the soil. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Read the full document (in Fr/Nl): [[http:// | ||
| + | Link to the database: [[http:// | ||
| + | |||
| + | Apart from being remarkable or preserved a tree can also be protected in the Brussels Region. There is only one such tree, a Lebanon cedar in the Avenue Palmerstonlaan. This is the only tree that cannot be cut without public permission and has to be replaced when it dies. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Remember that in German mythology our genealogy goes back to two trees. The first woman was created from the wood of an elm, the first man from the wood of an ash. | ||
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| + | // When you walk on, we invite you to think of the fact that many trees live for more than several hundred years, some oaks even for six hundred years. These elms are said to be more than a hundred years old. If they could speak, what would they tell us? What has changed since their youth? And what kind of historical events did they witness? // | ||
| + | ==== *Horse chestnut, witte paardenkastanje, | ||
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| + | We're happy to introduce you to the horse chestnut, the king of this small pardise of biodiversity in the middle of town. | ||
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| + | // If you're many, the best way to get to know this tree is to form a circle at the far ends of its crown. If you're alone, you can walk the distance. This makes you realize how wide a tree can be, even in the city. And how wide his roots grow under us. // | ||
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| + | The horse chestnut ows its success to king Leopold II. Thanks to him some avenues are still gifted with magnificent rows of horse chestnut. This species is well adapted to the urban environment, | ||
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| + | In times of crisis you might be happy to know that the roasted seed of the horse chestnut is used as a coffee substitute. The cooked seed can also be dried, ground into a powder and used as a gruel. The seed is quite large, about 3cm in diameter, and is easily harvested. | ||
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| + | Unfortunately the seed is also rich in saponins, these must be removed before it can be used as a food and this process also removes many of the minerals and vitamins, leaving behind mainly starch. The seed contains up to 40% water, 8 - 11% protein and 8 - 26% toxic saponins[218]. The seed needs to be leached of toxins before it becomes safe to eat - the Indians would do this by slow-roasting the nuts (which would have rendered the saponins harmless) and then cutting them into thin slices, putting them into a cloth bag and rinsing them in a stream for 2 till 5 days. | ||
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| + | Saponins in the seed are used as a soap substitute. The saponins can be easily obtained by chopping the seed into small pieces and infusing them in hot water. This water can then be used for washing the body, clothes etc. Its main drawback is a lingering odour of horse chestnuts. A yellow dye is obtained from the bark. The flowers contain the dyestuff quercetin. The wood is soft, light, and not durable. Of little commercial value, it is used for furniture, boxes, charcoal ad to be burned. | ||
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| + | Source: [[http:// | ||
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| + | // When you walk on, we invite you to think about the future. What would be the best kind of the tree for the future of this city? What would we need a tree for in 2060? // | ||
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| + | ==== *Imaginary tree rue Dansaertstraat ==== | ||
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| + | For those who witnessed the leak in the water pipe under this street some years ago, it is not a surprise you don't find any trees at this side of the rue Dansaert. Therefore we invite you to imagine your own tree, one that can be of help for future generations of this city. | ||
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| + | What tree did you think of while walking here? And why? | ||
| + | And would you consider it to resist to the criteria of today' | ||
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| + | It is no coincidence that the actual trees in the city are very different species to the ones we find in the forest. There are only a few types of trees that can survive in the city. This depends on several factors: their resistance to salt (in winter), vandalism, pollution, pressure on their root systems, and also the conditions of various pipelines under the roads (gas, water, electricity, | ||
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| + | The beech, the poplar, the willow and many types of fruit trees have crawling roots, that can be visible at the surface. These trees are highly sensitive. It is important that their roots are not damaged, because these wounds serve as large entrance gates for all kind of illness agents. Parking cars, cutting the grass, playing at their roots will asphyxiate them. Water and a lot of air in the soil are needed to guarantee their metabolism. This said, a lot of citizens don't like this type of trees for a very different reason: the leaves and the fruits that fall of in autumn. | ||
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| + | // Take a picture of your tree, write down its specificities, | ||
| + | ==== *Platanus the Court of justice ==== | ||
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