Tuesday 17 March 2009

If trees could talk...


This one would fascinate us. This is all that remains of a very old English oak (pedunculate oak) called Marie-Antoinette's oak. It was 324 years old. It had survived the horrible 1999 storm that uprooted 10000 trees at the palace estate, but not the 2003 drought and heat wave. Acorns have been gathered well before it died, so there's hope for its offspring! It is said that the ill-fated queen enjoyed its shade during summer heat. You can read more about its destiny by CBS here.
Because there is hope when all seems dark, bleak and hopeless, today's post is dedicated to Todd with much love.
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Si les arbres pouvaient parler, celui-ci nous fascinerait. Voici tout ce qui reste du chêne pédonculé dit de Marie-Antoinette. Il avait 324 ans. Il avait survécu à la terrible tempête de 1999 alors que 10000 autres arbres succombèrent mais pas à la canicule de 2003 et a été abattu en 2005. On dit que la reine aimait s'y prélasser en été.

23 comments:

Petrea Burchard said...

I remember seeing this when we visited! For some reason, I love seeing your photos of things we saw.

Frankie / Nick said...

Awe that is sad. Nature has a way of doing her own thing. We had a super storm a few years back as well. Took down half of the huge trees in our park. I suppose its her way of shedding her feathers.

Bergson said...

Il reste abattu et en place depuis 2005 ?

cieldequimper said...

Bergson asks if is has remained like this: yes, this picture was taken on Sunday. Oui Bergson, la photo a été prise ce dimanche.

Anonymous said...

You are very good with history. Are you a Historian?

Olivier said...

en effet, si il pouvait nous raconter les confidences de Marie-Antoinette. Un bout de notre histoire, il doit être protégé ?

GreensboroDailyPhoto said...

The posts like this one with history included are so important. Thank you for keeping the rest of the world informed on Versailles!

Cezar and Léia said...

wow I couldn't have imagine it! Great post and many thanks for sharing all these informations.Very interesting.
Léia :-)

Small City Scenes said...

That is so amazing. You listen for the stories it wants to tell. MB

Catherine said...

Moralité, le soleil est mauvais pour la santé.

Karen said...

How sad.. I hope they grow a new one from the acorns. I read about this in the US when it happened. Important news that made it to this side of the Atlantic.

Lowell said...

What an interesting story. It's always sad to see such a beautiful tree go down. I can envison M. Antoinette sitting underneath it...which is nice because she's one of my favorite historical people!

Thanks for this, CQ, and let's hope there are, like you say, "offspring."

crocrodyl said...

Very interesting! I like the story and your photos!

Julie ScottsdaleDailyPhoto.com said...

Great story and I will drink today for the acorns to go forth and propagate. I am glad you enjoyed the Green fairy and Absinthe info today. I knew you would enjoy it based on the French artists and their connection and creativity that evolved from France leading us all to share such wonderful art from the French Impressionists

Clueless in Boston said...

Too bad about the tree toppling over in the storm. Why has it been left on the ground and not chopped it up for firewood, or made into souvenirs?

cieldequimper said...

@Clueless in Boston: your guess is as good as mine!

stromsjo said...

From the perspective of an oak tree, our lives and deeds are very limited. Imagine being able to sense the world the way the oak does.

raf said...

One can only imagine what things transpired in and around that old oak tree. Like this post, Ciel!

EG CameraGirl said...

After all those years, it must have gotten tired of dealing with bad weather. Drought would certainly do me in! ;-)

Unknown said...

Great captures! I believe the 1st one is the root part of the trunk, right?

causeries said...

j'aime beaucoup le commentaire qui va bien avec les photos

Anonymous said...

I hope some of its offspring manage to live the next 300 years!

Tammie Lee said...

Oak trees are dear to me. That is one mighty old tree. Wonderful to think of people saving the acorns to plant a new one. I add my heart to your hope.