Perched on a hill of the Black Mountain, its disproportionate silhouette imposes. This beech, more than 30 m high and six meters in circumference, installed near the ruins of a pre-Romanesque chapel in Sorèze (Tarn) has just won the public prize in the "Tree of the year 2019" competition. 450 years old, he represented the Occitanie region for this competition organized by the magazine Terre Sauvage and the National Forest Office. And it is not only for aesthetic reasons but especially for its exceptional history and its curious legends that the beech of Saint-Jammes de Bezaucelles won this competition.
The colossus saw many lovemaking under his branches because the legend said that pregnant women rubbed their belly to bring luck to future newborns. Couples also came to hug there to be sure they could procreate. "This tree, planted around the 10th or 11th century has a wonderful history and a beautiful silhouette with five large carpenters even if it is supported by two crutches, confides Laetitia Souloumiac, the Tarnaise at the origin of her registration for the competition. It is like a house rising from the ground. By digging into his story, I realized that one of my ancestors had lived near him ”. Another peculiarity: the tree has anchored its roots in the cemetery of the old chapel, feeding on the deceased.
With its title in France, this beech will participate from February 1 in the contest of the most beautiful European tree.
Le Parisien, partner of the consultation "How to act together now for the environment?" ”, Initiated by Make.org, invites you to vote on the proposals made by Internet users in the module below. You will be informed of the results in February.