“I cannot look at a sheet oftree without being crushed byUniverse. By this beautiful metaphor, the quote from Victor-Hugo summarizes all the symbolism of the tree. He carries both the past in its roots, the here and now by its presence, and the promise of our future in its branches and its buds. Regenerating and adapting after each climatic mutation, it is a mystery of the creation.
It is all the more so since the recent discoveries which open the door to a unsuspected world and wonderful. Trees would be social beings, capable of communicate between them, to share information, as stated by Stefano Mancuso, professor at the University of Florence (Italy), founder of the International Laboratory of Plant Neurobiology. No brain = no consciousness? Trees have brains diffuse and not central. Certainly, devoid of sensory organs but endowed with sensitivity, they would experience emotions, perceiving their environment, developing strategies to promote the growth of their young congeners. Plant neurobiology is only at thedawn fascinating discoveries.
They were photographed by George Fetermanpresident of the TREES association (Remarkable Trees: Review, Research, Studies and Backup), author of the beautiful book, The oldest trees in France, a national heritage, and who prefaced that of Beth Moon, The oldest trees, both published by Muséo. He invites us to better consider these old patriarchs for whom “time does not have the same dimension as for us. Our only urgency is to protect them “. Since the year 2000, the “Remarkable Tree of France” label has been awarded by the association to municipalities, local authorities, public establishments and private owners who undertake to maintain and safeguard an exceptional tree as part of its natural and cultural heritage. The association has listed 350 in France.
Here are, by department, some of these beautiful trees which contribute to the balance of the weatherattract rain by evapotranspiration from their leaves, purify theatmospherefeed and shelter the biodiversity. They are our essential allies for our (over)life on Earth. Near his tree, we can live happilywe should never leave it eyes.