Adress
Aveue Louise 520, Esplanade of the Legrand Terminal
Brussels
GPS coordinates :
50.8174
, 4.3717
Identity
Latin name :
Aesculus hippocastanum
French name :
Marronnier commun
Dutch name :
Witte paardenkastanje
English name :
Common horse chestnut
Family :
Aesculus
Height :
-
Targeted height :
This species can grow up to 30–35 m
Diameter of the crown :
-
Trunk circumference :
-
Expected circumference :
700 cm
Expected longevity :
Can live for 300 years
Origin / Indigenous
Originally from the Balkans and Anatolia, it spread throughout Europe in the middle of the 16th century
Favorite soil :
Likes all soil types, but not too dry if possible
Favorite climate
Cool to temperate and Mediterranean
Collection of the Belgian State, permanent loan to the Meise Botanic Garden : Hempel, Die Bäume und Sträucher dese Waldes, pl. 47, 1889
Features and characters of the individual
This chestnut tree, and 12 other individuals from the alignment to which it belongs, were noticed by Sustainable art. This association puts trees at the heart of its life and work. It uses urban art as a strong and interactive communication vehicle to arouse the public's curiosity for trees: to awaken it, to invite them to take a step towards the intimate world of trees. Its mission is to strengthen the interconnection between humans and trees in order to take care of these green giants, those who care for them. And then to replant.
Tree Activities
"Let's listen to the trees, they have so much to say to us! »
Urban art performance and interconnection with the trees: astonish, amaze, make you dream, reconnect with our magnificent trees... we need them. These living beings, so efficient, essential, but also fragile ... We need them so much!
When: October 21 to October 28, 2019, from 8h to 18h. Where: Brussels, Avenue Louise between even and odd numbers (493 and 500), Esplanade -Terminus Legrand (Tram 93 and Tram 8 stop).
Story
In this performance, trees are the protagonists. At their feet, all the participants are just humans.
For a week, an artist will dress 12 chestnut trees in white in the magnificent tree alignment of the Esplanade Louise, while an urban forest specialist tells stories about the secret world of trees and immerses you in their sound universe. A universe consisting of sounds collected and entrusted by David G. Haskell, author of "The song of trees" and "The Forest Unseen: A Year’s Watch in Nature", writer and biologist Professor at the University of the South (Tennessee), Pulitzer Prize finalist.
The artist and the urban forest specialist will be surrounded/encouraged by a few volunteers and personalities from the artistic and/or scientific world, tree lovers or urban forest actors, who will spend a moment at the foot of the chestnut trees. They will stop by unexpectedly, incognito, to chat with passers-by, the public, schools.
A few odd appointments, soft for the ears and eyes, are scheduled throughout the week. The program will evolve according to the support, desires of those who join the initiative to share their sensitive perception and / or knowledge of trees.
This intervention in the street, discreet, slow, gentle, ephemeral, is a small gesture that tries to catch the eye, to initiate a dialogue. The beginning of a story, without paper, which is transmitted by word of mouth: it invites the public to meet trees with all their senses, to take care of them, and to plant. May be a comma that will change the landscape?
The location is not chosen by chance. Many passers-by cross the Esplanade of the Legrand Terminus where Tram 93 ends and Tram 8 stops. They are invited to have a glimpse at the trees on their way, maybe observe them in an unexpected and playful way. It's about (re) discovering their benefits and making a brief acquaintance with their intimate world. And then, many companies are rooted in the neighborhood. This poetic, idealistic (?) action also aims to raise funds for trees. The dream for 2020: replant urban micro-forests with children in their schools and with companies.
For whom? Young and old, alone or in groups, with colleagues, family or friends, schools, artists, scientists, guides, journalists, etc. are all welcome at the foot of the chestnut trees.
Urban art performance and interconnection with trees: astonish, amaze, make you dream, reconnect with our magnificent trees.
These beings are so alive, so effective, essential, fragile... we need them.
When : du 2st to 28 th october 2018, from 8h to 18h.
Where : Bruxelles, Avenue Louise between even and odd numbers (493 and 500), Esplanade du Terminus Legrand (Tram 93 et arrêt Tram 8)
