Candes Saint-Martin, my favourite spot in La Touraine.

Monday 2 November 2015

A botany quiz ...

They are everywhere … almost as omnipresent as the olive trees. And like the olive trees, they are protected: the cypresses of Corfu. On our day out, a few kilometres south of the capital Kerkyra we enjoyed this beautiful scenery.

Click twice to enlarge and see the details.

Still the perfect tour guide, Dimitris stopped by the side of the road giving us ample time – and some useful photo tips – to shoot this view. He explained that the trees were protected and that there were penalties for anyone cutting them down. Having said this, he stepped out of the car and went to examine a small specimen (about 1.5 metres tall) that was growing by the side of the road. He examined it very closely, inspecting the trunk, by lifting up the tree’s lower branches, as if he was peeping under its skirt!

“This one is just right. It’ll make a perfect Christmas tree.” He said with a satisfied smile on his face. “I’ll mark this position on my map and come back in December to get it.” I was flabbergasted. Hadn’t he just said that it was forbidden by law to cut the cypresses? When I expressed my astonishment, he shrugged and laughed. “Everybody does it. And it’s only a tiny little thing. Nobody will notice …”

Before I could say more, he quickly changed the subject. “By the way, do you know why some cypresses are fat and others are slim?”

A fat and a skinny cypress tree, side by side, in the hotel gardens.


None of us knew the answer at the time. We do now. Do you?

13 comments:

Susan said...

I would guess that the fat ones are grown from seed and the thin ones from cuttings. The answer will be something like this, because the thin ones are a mutation which has been developed as a garden cultivar. To retain their look they must be propagated vegetatively ie from cuttings. From seed, because of cross fertilization, it isn't guaranteed that you will get the fastigate (ie thin) mutation.

I'm disgusted that your driver was planning to cut the little tree down btw. You would think it was more sensible that the 'everyone' who is doing it just had a small living one in a pot which got wheeled in for Christmas.

Jean said...

I have no idea and leave things like that to the experts - thank you Susan!
I love cypress trees, they always make me remember some wonderful holidays in Italy.

ladybird said...

Susan, Your answer is very plausible indeed. And may be the right one. However, these trees grow 'in the wild'. So I think there is no human manipulation involved. According to our driver the skinny trees are the 'male', the fat ones the 'female'. And I think he's right because I just read an article that a 'male' taxus tree (same family as the cypress) somewhere in the world (can't recall where) after more than a hundred years has suddenly developed a female 'branch'.

Jean, Yes cypresses are very elegant and beautiful. And they always remind me of southern Europe. I hope I will have the occasion to admire some more next summer.

Susan said...

Sorry but your driver's explanation is nonsense. Cypress do have separate male and female flowers and cones, but they occur on the same tree. The trees and branches themselves are not male or female.

Carolyn said...

Thinking of you, Martine, and hoping you and your mother (and everyone else, of course) are safe and well.

chm said...

I hope the Belgian Connection is not interrupting your routine in any way on your side of Brussels. If I recall correctly, your are located on the opposite direction from Mollenbeek. Wish you luck!

ladybird said...

Thank you Carolyn! We're safe ... and hoping for a quick breakthrough.

ladybird said...

Chm, Thank you. Indeed. Molenbeek isn't on 'my side' of Brussels and over 15km away. All is fine here,but we are not allowed to go into the office ... not today, nor tomorrow. Teleworking is fine with me. Donc! .. so far so good. Here, in our village is BAU! Thank you so much for your concern! x

PS Hope we aren't the laughing stock of the world, once again !!

Carolyn said...

Martine, I think Belgium has everyone's sympathy and concern right now.

I'm glad to hear you're fairly far from Molenbeek. I knew you'd enjoy the extra days of teleworking!

The Beaver said...

Bonjour Martine

Good to read that you are on the other side.

Take care and your Maman must be relieved that she lives with other people around her 24/7 when she hears all those commotion going on in and around Brussels.

ladybird said...

Carolyn, The TW made up for the terrorist threat :)). Monday it's BAU. Back to the office and seeing my colleagues again. Looking forward to it.

TB, Thank you. We've never felt afraid or uncomfortable, living in a village at 15km from Brussels. I'm more alert though when I go the supermarket and maman is safe and sound in her service flat. Belgium is still and will always be a great country to live in! ;)

VirginiaC said...

Hi Martine, are you okay....it's been a while.

ladybird said...

Hi Virginia, yes I'm fine - Thank you. But office life has been very hectic these last couple of weeks. When I get home, I just can't find the energy to spend more time in front of my computer. In a week or so I may have more time when I have a week off from work ... and some free time to blog. In the meantime 'Enjoy the holyday season'. ;) Martine