Adress
Cité Modèle's gardens
Brussels (Laeken)
GPS coordinates :
50.8966
, 4.3246
Identity
Latin name :
Salix x sepulcralis
French name :
Saule pleureur
Dutch name :
Treurwilg
English name :
Golden weeping willow
Family :
Salicaceae
Height :
-
Targeted height :
This species can grow up to 25 m
Diameter of the crown :
-
Trunk circumference :
-
Expected circumference :
400 cm
Expected longevity :
Can live for 80 years
Origin / Indigenous
Mysterious
Favorite soil :
Loves damp and rich soils
Favorite climate
Temperate
Belgian Federal State Collection on permanent loan to the Meise Botanical Garden. <https://www.plantentuinmeise.be/en/home/> Camus, Atlas de la monographie des saules, pl. 22, 1904.
Features and characters of the individual
Willows soften the view, atmosphere of the Model City. Their organic, flexible, moving lines contrast with the geometric lines of the surrounding buildings. A dialogue is woven between the living and the mineral. Without the willows, this park would be devastated. CIVA has noticed one of the individuals who adorn this urban landscape:
"The landscape architecture of the thirty years following the Second World War in Brussels is influenced by the construction of buildings in height like those of the Model City. Indeed, the landscape is now reflected from a double point of view: a horizontal vision and a plunging view for the occupants of the upper floors. From 1945 to 1973, we sought coherence between plants and architectural elements (CIVA, 2018). The tree thus makes it possible to reinforce the play of depth and relief of the ground, but also to temper the pure and hard lines of the buildings of the Cité Modèle thanks to its foliage (Bernard & all, 2012).
Ornamental trees, including willow, provide a certain breadth and majesty to vast green spaces (Le Monde, 2018). The shape, twigs, flowers and foliage of the willow make it a tree very appreciated for its decorative qualities and for the volume it brings to the territory on which it is planted.
Although ornamental, trees also play an active role in the creation of this Model City as a social city (Bernard & all, 2012). Indeed, the social, environmental and economic benefits of urban trees seem to be perfectly aligned with the vision of the Model City. The tree leading to the reduction of aggressiveness and stress of the inhabitants, to the depollution of the air, water and soil, allows urban dwellers to enjoy a better sociability and health (La Ferme Ornée de Carrouges, 2014). "
Activity
The CIVA invites you to discover the Josaphat Park, its history, and some of the trees that inhabit it as part of "Designed Landscapes". https://civa.brussels/fr/expos-events/designed-landscapes-brussels-1775-2020
More info (FR)
Bernard & all. (2014). La Cité Modèle à Bruxelles, vie(s) d’un grand projet. Bruxelles : Aparté.
CIVA (2018). Exposition Designed Landscapes
La Ferme Ornée de Carrouges. (2014). Histoire de l’art des jardins.
