The Linden Tree, an emblematic tree in the history of Lyon

A Turbulent History of Shrubland

Place Bellecour in Lyon, known today for its mineral appearance, has a verdant history marked by major transformations. Formerly, in the 12th century, it housed a garden belonging to the Archbishop of Lyon, hence its name "Bellecour". This place, sold to a private individual in 1218, was neglected and invaded by a marsh before becoming a grassy area.

In 1600, Henri IV decided to transform this land into a public square and had 300 lime trees planted in 1609, giving Bellecour a greener appearance. However, despite these developments, the square remained prone to flooding. Development projects followed one after the other, notably with the installation of an equestrian statue of Louis XIV surrounded by monumental fountains at the end of the 17th century, thus providing a green atmosphere dominated by lawns and lime trees. After the Revolution, the square was destroyed and rebuilt in a similar style under Napoleon in 1806, still surrounded by the same old lime trees.

VALNOIS Françoise known as Veuve Girard, the queen of lime trees. BERAUD – Municipal archives of Lyon, 16FI/558

Despite the many changes, Bellecour has escaped a very different fate: in 1845, a project to install a train station was rejected, thus preserving the identity of the place. Faced with current climate issues, some imagine a return to a greener Bellecour to combat urban heat islands.

From lime to chestnut, plane tree and others..

As early as 1849, for uncertain reasons (illness, financial, fashion) the lime trees in Place Bellecour were destroyed and replaced by chestnut trees. Later, in March 2000, for the redevelopment of public space, a good part of these chestnut trees reached the end of their life are cut down and replaced by... lime trees. Over the centuries, the plane tree has also taken its place in the Lyon wooded landscape, dominating at 75% in 1993. However, an epidemic of canker stain has decimated the plane trees since their arrival from the United States in 1992, even affecting emblematic places such as the Parc de la Tête-d'Or.

Lyon has had to cut down many plane trees, which were infected and threatening safety, without the disease being brought under control. Intensive urbanisation and the construction of major roads have also contributed to the degradation of the tree environment. In response, the city has undertaken diversified replanting campaigns, mixing oaks, maples, and even lime trees, seeking a balance to maintain the arboreal richness. Preservation actions have been launched, based on landscaping and arboricultural expertise aimed at ensuring the sustainability of Lyon's plant heritage, made up of more than eight thousand eight hundred trees of varied species.

Linden (Malvaceae family)

An imposing tree reaching a height of 30 to 40 meters. The flowers of this tree are used in the preparation of infusions for their antispasmodic properties. There are three main species of lime tree: the small-leaved lime tree with smooth undersides (Tilia cordata), which has small tufts of reddish hairs along the veins, the Dutch lime tree or common lime tree (Tilia europeae), and the large-leaved lime tree with a hairy surface underneath (Tilia platyphyllos).

The benefits of linden

Linden flowers

The linden tree, like the birch, embodies the symbolism of the feminine tree. With its silhouette firmly anchored on a robust and straight trunk, it defies time, being able to live up to 500 years. When its leaves fall, they decompose quickly, enriching the soil with a highly effective humus. The wood of the linden tree, with its softness, lightness, tenderness and delicate fragrance, finds an appreciable place in wood crafts. An ancestral tradition persists: planting linden trees in gathering places, because their presence soothes souls and eases tensions. Thus, they often embellish schoolyards, places of agitation conducive to their beneficial action.

Famous for its health benefits, the linden tree has a range of benefits. It is a valuable ally during colds and flu, promoting sweating and helping to eliminate ailments. At the same time, it soothes nighttime torments, relieves headaches and offers insomniacs a gateway to the much-desired restful sleep. This alliance between tradition, symbolism and health benefits makes the linden tree much more than just a tree: it has been a guardian of well-being and a symbol of comfort over the centuries.

Wood infected by fungus

The Lyon Metropolis plans to regularly cut down silver lime trees in Lyon's parks (Parilly, Tête d'or), due to a fungus that has attacked these trees following the drought and heatwave. These lime trees, present for around sixty years along a path in the park, have been the cause of eight accidents over the last four years, including falling trees and branches, even injuring a child in June 2021. The vice-president of the Lyon Metropolis in charge of the environment, Pierre Athanaze, stressed that this fungus affected trees already weakened by extreme weather conditions. In response to these incidents and as part of the preservation of parks in the face of climate change, the Metropolis is considering reviewing its planting policy.

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