Der tausendjährige Olivenbaum im korsischen Oletta und die schwedische Fichte Old Tjikko gehören zu den ältesten Bäumen Europas. Der eine steht gut behütet in einem Garten und trägt noch immer Früchte; der andere kämpft in einem abgelegenen Nationalpark gegen die harten Wetterbedingungen von Nordskandinavien.
These two specimens are linked to communities that are different to say the least!
Local inhabitants keep the exact location of the White Leaved Oak in the Malvern Hills a secret. They will, however, divulge information to interested visitors. The oak remains a place of Pagan legends: the tree is obviously venerated. Tibetan-style flags are attached to its branches, as are ribbons, garlands and even dolls. The White Leaved Oak is said to be located in a mystical place, with strong links to druid rites. One legend evokes the existence of the “Perpetual Choirs”: druids take it in turns to sing continuously in the surrounding nature or in churchyards. This mysterious tree has remained the meeting point of a community of hippies, hence its nickname “The Hippie Tree” given to it by amused locals.
The Himmelsberg Linden is a “Tanzlinde” or “dance tree”. In Germanic countries, some lindens used to be shaped according to a very precise ritual, and supported by wooden props or stone pillars. Dance lindens were created for holding a wooden dance floor underneath their foliage. The specimen of gigantic proportions in Himmelsberg is said to have reached the venerable age of at least 700 years, making it one of the oldest trees in Germany. Its branches were pulled outwards and attached to pegs, so that the villagers could dance or sit down under the tree. As was the custom, the linden was the centre of village life: a place of festivities, but it also served as the tribunal court.
L’olivier millénaire d'Oletta, en Corse, et l’épicéa surnommé "Old Tjikko", en Suède, considéré comme l'un des plus vieux arbres au monde, défient le temps.
Un olivo millenario in Corsica e un abete rosso che gli svedesi chiamano Old Tjikko sono tra i più antichi alberi d'Europa.
Världens äldsta träd är svenskt. Jo, faktiskt. Men det är inte någon knotig ek eller tall. Äldsta trädet är en tanig gran uppe på Fulufjället, Old Tjikko. Veden ovan jord är inte gammal alls. Men genetiskt är granindividen bortåt tiotusen år gammal.
