The Trees of Spain

[Seabird]

Perhaps some of you will recognize some of these trees, or ones like them. This is a link to a short video on National Geographic.

May we all care about our dear, old friends.

 

[Margaret Butterworth]

This is my favourite Camino tree photo!

 

[wonzi]

View attachment 22892
This is my favourite Camino tree photo!

Also, one of my favorite photos!

 

[movinmaggie]

I felt so at home whilst walking through the forests on the CF.

 

[peregrina2000]

There's no doubt that trees have been an essential part of my caminos, even though I don't know much about the species, their habitats, or their growing habits. I'll bet we all have pictures of a lone tree standing on a hill or sticking up in the meseta. And the fruit trees, the smells and the beautiful colors I remember from the first few days of the Levante. The cherry trees on the Invierno. Looking for some shade on those treeless parts and being oh so grateful for some branches to rest under. But my absolute hands down favorite are the chestnut trees. Their heavy smell when flowering is almost overpowering. Their powers of regeneration are pretty astonishing -- how many huge hollowed out chestnut trunks have you seen with new young trees bursting upwards from inside? Hmmm, thanks for posting this Seabird, it has just highlighted a very important part of the camino that I had never focused on.

But I cannot think of anything good to say about those invasive eucalyptus trees and how they are ruining the ecosystems of Galicia!
Buen camino, Laurie

 

[Anemone del Camino]

@peregrina2000 , have you been to Guemes to feel that way about the euxalyptus trees

The tree I had never noticed at home, though we have them, and just loved on the Camino is the Olivier de Boheme, the Elaeagnus Angustifolia: with it's narrow silver leaves and those tiny yellow round flowers that smell so good. I keep wanting to plant one at home as I love the smell it it takes me right back to the Camino but my tree person keeps,telling me it's a bad idea, that it's not a good tree, that it will not last long...

 

[movinmaggie]

There's no doubt that trees have been an essential part of my caminos, even though I don't know much about the species, their habitats, or their growing habits. I'll bet we all have pictures of a lone tree standing on a hill or sticking up in the meseta. And the fruit trees, the smells and the beautiful colors I remember from the first few days of the Levante. The cherry trees on the Invierno. Looking for some shade on those treeless parts and being oh so grateful for some branches to rest under. But my absolute hands down favorite are the chestnut trees. Their heavy smell when flowering is almost overpowering. Their powers of regeneration are pretty astonishing -- how many huge hollowed out chestnut trunks have you seen with new young trees bursting upwards from inside? Hmmm, thanks for posting this Seabird, it has just highlighted a very important part of the camino that I had never focused on.

But I cannot think of anything good to say about those invasive eucalyptus trees and how they are ruining the ecosystems of Galicia!
Buen camino, Laurie

Laurie if I remember correctly, were the Eucalyptus brought in for some reason? Was it for the pulp industry? Maggie

 

[Anemone del Camino]

Laurie if I remember correctly, were the Eucalyptus brought in for some reason? Was it for the pulp industry? Maggie

Yup, pulp, because they grow very fast. But they drain a horrible amount of water. Also their leaves are very acidic and as they fall they change the soil's PH, which in turn affects plant growth, which affects animal feeding and coverage.

 

[peregrina2000]

@peregrina2000 , have you been to Guemes to feel that way about the euxalyptus trees

Hi, Anemone, I have slept in Guemes but that was way back when, many years before my "eucalyptus awakening." And on that camino, I was walking with a Californian who just loved them and said they made her feel so at home.
What's the connection between Guemes and eucalyptus? Was it part of the upstairs show after dinner? If so, I forget, even though I was doing the translating into English.

I think my eucalyptus education came from a mushroom specialist at a university in Spain. It was on an early trip to Finisterre, and I walked with him from Negreira onward. The poor man was nearly in tears, remembering the landscape before the eucalyptus came in, particularly their effect on the varieties of mushrooms that used to be plentiful along the Camino. I am sure I didn't absorb all the science, but I did take away the clear understanding that eucalyptus provide a short term gain and a huge long term loss. He told me there were some serious efforts afoot to encourage repopulation of naive species, bu I don't know how much success that has had.

Laurie if I remember correctly, were the Eucalyptus brought in for some reason? Was it for the pulp industry? Maggie

Hi, Maggie, I think that's correct, and I think I remember that we can thank our good pals from OZ for the introduction. But maybe that's not right. Don't want to cast blame unfairly here.

 

[Anemone del Camino]

What's the connection between Guemes and eucalyptus? Was it part of the upstairs show after dinner? If so, I forget, even though I was doing the translating into English..

Yup, part of the "evening show", together with the brans and the prisoners and the uears spent in the tiny and remote village up in the mountains.

 

[Seabird]

@peregrina2000 , have you been to Guemes to feel that way about the euxalyptus trees

The tree I had never noticed at home, though we have them, and just loved on the Camino is the Olivier de Boheme, the Elaeagnus Angustifolia: with it's narrow silver leaves and those tiny yellow round flowers that smell so good. I keep wanting to plant one at home as I love the smell it it takes me right back to the Camino but my tree person keeps,telling me it's a bad idea, that it's not a good tree, that it will not last long...

Anemone, you have a smart tree person. Depending on where you live, that tree is very invasive and pushes out native plants. However, you might consider a related plant, Elaeagnus pungens, which is much less likely to be invasive. It is a large shrub (but can be kept trimmed) and has that same lovely smell. It can take freezing temperatures down to about 0F/-17C. Again, though, you would want to make sure it is not invasive for your area. I grow it here and have had no problems.

 

[Seabird]

There's no doubt that trees have been an essential part of my caminos, even though I don't know much about the species, their habitats, or their growing habits. I'll bet we all have pictures of a lone tree standing on a hill or sticking up in the meseta. And the fruit trees, the smells and the beautiful colors I remember from the first few days of the Levante. The cherry trees on the Invierno. Looking for some shade on those treeless parts and being oh so grateful for some branches to rest under. But my absolute hands down favorite are the chestnut trees. Their heavy smell when flowering is almost overpowering. Their powers of regeneration are pretty astonishing -- how many huge hollowed out chestnut trunks have you seen with new young trees bursting upwards from inside? Hmmm, thanks for posting this Seabird, it has just highlighted a very important part of the camino that I had never focused on.

But I cannot think of anything good to say about those invasive eucalyptus trees and how they are ruining the ecosystems of Galicia!
Buen camino, Laurie

What a lovely description. As a gardener and naturalist, I have more pictures of plant life on my hikes than of any of the glorious vistas!

 

[Seabird]

@Margaret Butterworth ~ I hope you don't mind that I added a favorite quote by John Muir to your photo. It was such a lovely photo.

 

[peregrina2000]

View attachment 22892
This is my favourite Camino tree photo!

Do you remember thte location, it's beautiful! I'm thinking maybe somewhere between Ponferrada and Molinaseca?

 

[Madidi]

Do you remember thte location, it's beautiful! I'm thinking maybe somewhere between Ponferrada and Molinaseca?

Hi Laurie,

This is along the detour that takes you through the vineyards between Cacabelos and Villafranca de Bierzo. I think you turn right off the CF just past Pieros. It is a very beautiful in the early morning.

Take care, be safe.

 

[movinmaggie]

Being a gardener also, I can understand the challenge invasive species. Here on Vancouver island, BC, we have a constant struggle with Scotch Broom.

 

[pilgrim b]

Hi Laurie,

This is along the detour that takes you through the vineyards between Cacabelos and Villafranca de Bierzo. I think you turn right off the CF just past Pieros. It is a very beautiful in the early morning.

Take care, be safe.

Spot on correct Madidi it's such a beautiful detour a little further than following the road route but well worth the extra bit of effort.

 

[Pelegrin]

There's no doubt that trees have been an essential part of my caminos, even though I don't know much about the species, their habitats, or their growing habits. I'll bet we all have pictures of a lone tree standing on a hill or sticking up in the meseta. And the fruit trees, the smells and the beautiful colors I remember from the first few days of the Levante. The cherry trees on the Invierno. Looking for some shade on those treeless parts and being oh so grateful for some branches to rest under. But my absolute hands down favorite are the chestnut trees. Their heavy smell when flowering is almost overpowering. Their powers of regeneration are pretty astonishing -- how many huge hollowed out chestnut trunks have you seen with new young trees bursting upwards from inside? Hmmm, thanks for posting this Seabird, it has just highlighted a very important part of the camino that I had never focused on.

But I cannot think of anything good to say about those invasive eucalyptus trees and how they are ruining the ecosystems of Galicia!
Buen camino, Laurie

Laurie, in my opinion the eucalyptus in Galicia has two positive points. First it is an essencial source of income for many families, now that the price of milk is very low and second the eucalyptus is anyway a tree and therefore helps in the fight against the greenhouse effect.

 

[SYates]

Laurie, in my opinion the eucalyptus in Galicia has two positive points. First it is an essencial source of income for many families, now that the price of milk is very low and second the eucalyptus is anyway a tree and therefore helps in the fight against the greenhouse effect.

And lowers the water table, killing many other indigenous trees/shrubs in the process. SY

 

[jmcarp]

View attachment 22892
This is my favourite Camino tree photo!

Do you remember thte location, it's beautiful! I'm thinking maybe somewhere between Ponferrada and Molinaseca?

Here's the location on Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/@42.605348,-6.7795942,269m/data=!3m1!1e3
There are several photos along the bottom of the page at that Google Maps page. The white house in the grove of trees, and if you zoom out, you'll see it's just up the hill behind that artist's studio with all the crazy sculpture pieces in the yard.

 

[jmcarp]

One of my favorite spots along the CF was the trail through the beech forest just after crossing the Spanish border on the Napoleon route. The trail was paved with several inches of fallen leaves when we walked through there, making it like walking on a plush carpet for several hundred meters.

 

[C clearly]

Hi Laurie,

This is along the detour that takes you through the vineyards between Cacabelos and Villafranca de Bierzo. I think you turn right off the CF just past Pieros. It is a very beautiful in the early morning.

Take care, be safe.

Thanks for the location. I remember that section well from 3 years ago. However I walked again this year and afterward wondered why I hadn't noticed that view. It is not easily missed! Now, looking at the map where you describe, I realize I must have gone left instead of right, so I've marked it for next time.

 

[Madidi]

Thanks for the location. I remember that section well from 3 years ago. However I walked again this year and afterward wondered why I hadn't noticed that view. It is not easily missed! Now, looking at the map where you describe, I realize I must have gone left instead of right, so I've marked it for next time.

I think the CF continues along the main road for another 2kms before a right turn leads you onto a farm track which merges with the 'vineyard' route just before you enter Villafranca De Bierzo. There were some arrows on the road indicating to the right but if you were walking correctly on the left, I can see how easily it would be to miss this. My guide book referred to it as the 'Camino Viejo' (old road) and I was curious where this old road led I have vivid memories of entering the little pueblo, Valtuille de Arribe: it was a step into the past with its old-fashioned houses and precarious wooden balconies. My early morning photo of the scene is attached.

Take care, be safe.

 

[Magnara]

Walking along silent forest paths, filtered light overhead, soft leaves underfoot...aaah...one of the reasons we coming back to pilgrimages. It's not something we have in Oz - which brings me to those eucalypts...sorry, apologies from downunder! It is a weird feeling for an Aussie walkin ginto Galicia to suddenly have that oh, so familiar aroma. It was one reason we decided not to walk on to Finisterra, which we had intended to do - it stopped feeling like Spain.

 

[Icacos]

A German friend, living here in BC for many years, remarked on the beauty of our natural forests. She said something about there not being any natural forests left in Europe - that all the forests now were cultivated. I don't know anything about these trees on the Francés, but I certainly like all the colours.

 

[Pelegrin]

And lowers the water table, killing many other indigenous trees/shrubs in the process. SY

I don´t like eucaliptus either. I was just giving an economic reason for the presence of eucaliptus in Galicia.
In fact I have land ( almost 2 hectares) in Galicia and I never would plant them.
To be honest, I don´t plant anything because I live in Madrid and it would be very expensive for me to plant oaks or chestnuts.
In Galicia bushes (gorses) grow very fast and after planting the trees you must clean the bushes around the following years to allow the plant to grow.

 

[Anemone del Camino]

I don´t like eucaliptus either. I was just giving an economic reason for the presence of eucaliptus in Galicia.
In fact I have land ( almost 2 hectares) in Galicia and I never would plant them.
To be honest, I don´t plant anything because I live in Madrid and it would be very expensive for me to plant oaks or chestnuts.
In Galicia bushes (gorses) grow very fast and after planting the trees you must clean the bushes around the following years to allow the plant to grow.

I would argue that even economically they make little sense considering the massive forest fires they cause and what that destroys. Econimics goes beyond money made by industry.

 

[jpflavin1]

View attachment 22892
This is my favourite Camino tree photo!

Margaret:

We must have a similar eye. This is the shot I took.

Ultreya,
Joe

 

[peregrina2000]

Looks like the Xunta shares our dislike of eucalyptus trees. This article describes a 4,800 euro fine imposed on someone near/on the Camino near Portomarin, who had planted these trees illegally and must now take them down.

http://elprogreso.galiciae.com/noti...antacion-de-eucaliptos-en-el-camino-primitivo

As far as I can tell from the short article, the illegality comes from its location within the protected sphere surrounding the Camino and not because eucalyptus trees are now banned in Galicia.

The environmental association that filed the complaint, ADEGA, has more information on its website -- it's in galego but for anyone with a good command of Spanish I think you can get the gist of it. http://adega.gal/novas.php?id=423&idioma=gl&sec=209

This action seems to be part of a bigger, more general effort to get rid of eucalyptus trees in Spain, one step at a time.
http://adega.gal/novas.php?sec=209&id=392&idioma=gl

 

[Pelegrin]

Looks like the Xunta shares our dislike of eucalyptus trees. This article describes a 4,800 euro fine imposed on someone near/on the Camino near Portomarin, who had planted these trees illegally and must now take them down.

http://elprogreso.galiciae.com/noti...antacion-de-eucaliptos-en-el-camino-primitivo

As far as I can tell from the short article, the illegality comes from its location within the protected sphere surrounding the Camino and not because eucalyptus trees are now banned in Galicia.

The environmental association that filed the complaint, ADEGA, has more information on its website -- it's in galego but for anyone with a good command of Spanish I think you can get the gist of it. http://adega.gal/novas.php?id=423&idioma=gl&sec=209

This action seems to be part of a bigger, more general effort to get rid of eucalyptus trees in Spain, one step at a time.
http://adega.gal/novas.php?sec=209&id=392&idioma=gl

The second site says that in the council of Palas de Rey (Ponte Ferreira is the first village of this council on the Camino Primitivo) there are two groups of quartz rocks called "O penedo de Casacamiño" and "O penedo do hospital" (on the photo). Around them there are legends about castles inhabited by magical beings (In Galicia they are called "mouros") The news says that the eucaliptus plantation finally would completely cover the rocks ( and I´m sure would kill the magical beings). That's why the owner was fined.

 

[Donna Sch]

There are eucalypts all along the VDLP and my biggest worry is what happens if there are bushfires. Here in Australia the bush is regularly burnt back which decreases the fuel load. But in Spain there are years of leaf litter, and the Emergency Services and people are not as used to dealing with bushfires.

 

[Anemone del Camino]

There are eucalypts all along the VDLP and my biggest worry is what happens if there are bushfires. Here in Australia the bush is regularly burnt back which decreases the fuel load. But in Spain there are years of leaf litter, and the Emergency Services and people are not as used to dealing with bushfires.

Apparently so,e fire,en have died in Portugal,fighting these fires....

 

[Kanga]

My favourite tree moment on the Camino Frances was a day or so before Santiago on a crowded section. We came across a tree with groups of Spaniards taking photos of it, one after another (a new ritual?). "Why are you taking photos?" asked my husband. "Because it is such a big tree" was the response. "You know its an Australian tree?" says my husband. "No, no - it's a eucalypt!" they replied.

And yes, bushfires are a real hazard. Yesterday we lost 103 houses in Victoria and the fire is still a threat.

 

[Pelegrin]

My favourite tree moment on the Camino Frances was a day or so before Santiago on a crowded section. We came across a tree with groups of Spaniards taking photos of it, one after another (a new ritual?). "Why are you taking photos?" asked my husband. "Because it is such a big tree" was the response. "You know its an Australian tree?" says my husband. "No, no - it's a eucalypt!" they replied.

And yes, bushfires are a real hazard. Yesterday we lost 103 houses in Victoria and the fire is still a threat.

Yes, I don´t know in other countries but here in Spain the knowledge about authocthonous trees among urban people can improve.

 

[Al the optimist]

One of my favorite spots along the CF was the trail through the beech forest just after crossing the Spanish border on the Napoleon route. The trail was paved with several inches of fallen leaves when we walked through there, making it like walking on a plush carpet for several hundred meters.

I'm glad you had such a lovely experience. You wouldn't say the same thing if you were walking there just as the snows were melting!

 

[Kanga]

Yes, Al is right, slippery as ice!

 

[Al the optimist]

And then it gets over the ankle deep muddy and slippery as hell. Get to the bottom without getting on yours is a minor feat! (I have failed a few times)!

 

[JMac56]

And then it gets over the ankle deep muddy and slippery as hell. Get to the bottom without getting on yours is a minor feat! (I have failed a few times)!

Too true, Al. The day I walked down that hill I saw a number of nasty falls, including one lady who had a very bad "face plant".

 

[jmcarp]

And then it gets over the ankle deep muddy and slippery as hell. Get to the bottom without getting on yours is a minor feat! (I have failed a few times)!

Actually, I was talking about the level stretch through the forest just after you cross the Spanish border, not the steep descent through the forest from the pass at Col de Lepoeder to Roncesvalles.

 

[Al the optimist]

That is where I meant. A lovely spot and so peaceful, but in the spring it is often boggy and difficult.

 

[jmcarp]

That is where I meant. A lovely spot and so peaceful, but in the spring it is often boggy and difficult.

Hmmm, I never thought about that. Your original comment about getting to the bottom made me think you meant the trail down through the forest into Roncevalles. Thankfully both were dry when my wife and I passed through.

 

[mspath]

Today's Guardian reports the sad reality of ancient Spanish olive trees being exported instead of being celebrated and protected in situ. ...
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/31/spain-ancient-olive-trees-threat-garden-ornaments

 

[Kanga]

On olive trees, remember this beauty?

 

[mspath]

Indeed, that's how NYC acquired the Cloisters!

 

[Pelegrin]

Today's Guardian reports the sad reality of ancient Spanish olive trees being exported instead of being celebrated and protected in situ. ...
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/31/spain-ancient-olive-trees-threat-garden-ornaments

Ii is incredible that an ancient tree can resist transplanting but it seems that the olive tree can.

Talking about ancient trees, the oldest one that I know it is located in Sierra de Madrid. Is is a yew:
https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tejo_de_Barondillo

It is 1500 -2000 years old, and therefore when it started to grow up London was still Londinum, England was Britania, and Madrid and Santiago didn´t exist.

 

[alansykes]

One of my favourite Lorca poems is olive-related:

Arbolé arbolé
seco y verdé.

La niña del bello rostro
está cogiendo aceituna.
El viento, galán de torres,
la prende por la cintura.

Pasaron cuatro jinetes,
sobre jacas andaluzas
con trajes de azul y verde,
con largas capas oscuras.

"Vente a Córdoba, muchacha."
La niña no los escucha.

Pasaron tres torerillos
delgaditos de cintura,
con trajes color naranja
y espadas de plata antigua.

"Vente a Sevilla, muchacha."
La niña no los escucha.

Cuando la tarde se puso
morada, con luz difusa,
pasó un joven que llevaba
rosas y mirtos de luna.

"Vente a Granada, muchacha."
Y la niña no lo escucha.

La niña del bello rostro
sigue cogiendo aceituna,
con el brazo gris del viento
ceñido por la cintura.

 

[jmcarp]

Ii is incredible that an ancient tree can resist transplanting but it seems that the olive tree can.

Talking about ancient trees, the oldest one that I know it is located in Sierra de Madrid. Is is a yew:
https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tejo_de_Barondillo

It is 1500 -2000 years old, and therefore when it started to grow up London was still Londinum, England was Britania, and Madrid and Santiago didn´t exist.

There is a species of pine trees known as bristlecone pines which grow in isolated, mountainous area of the western US. Several specimens have been dated by tree-ring borings to be more than 5000 years old, which means they pre-date the Egyptian pyramids. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bristlecone_pine

 

[Pelegrin]

There is a species of pine trees known as bristlecone pines which grow in isolated, mountainous area of the western US. Several specimens have been dated by tree-ring borings to be more than 5000 years old, which means they pre-date the Egyptian pyramids. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bristlecone_pine

Yes, there must be a lot of Matusalem trees all over the world The tejo de Barondillo has the humble title of being the oldest one in the Comunidad de Madrid.

 

[peregrina2000]

One of my favourite Lorca poems is olive-related:

Arbolé arbolé
seco y verdé.

La niña del bello rostro
está cogiendo aceituna.
El viento, galán de torres,
la prende por la cintura.

Pasaron cuatro jinetes,
sobre jacas andaluzas
con trajes de azul y verde,
con largas capas oscuras.

"Vente a Córdoba, muchacha."
La niña no los escucha.

Pasaron tres torerillos
delgaditos de cintura,
con trajes color naranja
y espadas de plata antigua.

"Vente a Sevilla, muchacha."
La niña no los escucha.

Cuando la tarde se puso
morada, con luz difusa,
pasó un joven que llevaba
rosas y mirtos de luna.

"Vente a Granada, muchacha."
Y la niña no lo escucha.

La niña del bello rostro
sigue cogiendo aceituna,
con el brazo gris del viento
ceñido por la cintura.

Alan, you always surprise me! If we're talking about poems about olive trees, I would have pegged you more as an "Andaluces de Jaen" kind of guy.