A Turbulent History of Shrubland
Place Bellecour in Lyon, known today for its stark, urban appearance, has a verdant history marked by major transformations. In the 12th century, it housed a garden belonging to the Archbishop of Lyon, hence its name “Bellecour.” Sold to a private individual in 1218, the site was neglected and overgrown by marshland before becoming a grassy area.
In 1600, Henry IV decided to transform this land into a public square and had 300 linden trees planted in 1609, giving Bellecour a greener appearance. However, despite these improvements, the square remained prone to flooding. Successive development projects followed, notably the installation of an equestrian statue of Louis XIV surrounded by monumental fountains at the end of the 17th century, thus creating a verdant atmosphere dominated by lawns and linden 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.
Despite numerous changes, Bellecour has escaped a very different fate: in 1845, a project to build a train station was rejected, thus preserving the square's identity. Faced with current climate challenges, some envision 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 portion 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 tree 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 iconic places such as the Parc de la Tête-d'Or.
Lyon has had to cut down numerous plane trees that were infected and posed a safety risk, without the disease being brought under control. Intensive urbanization and the construction of major roads have also contributed to the degradation of the tree-covered 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 linden: the small-leaved linden (Tilia cordata), which has small tufts of reddish hairs along the veins; the common linden (Tilia europaea); and the large-leaved linden (Tilia platyphyllos), which has a hairy underside.
The benefits of linden
The linden tree, like the birch, embodies the symbolism of the feminine tree. With its silhouette firmly rooted on a robust, straight trunk, it defies time, potentially living up to 500 years. When its leaves fall, they decompose quickly, enriching the soil with highly effective humus. Linden wood, with its smoothness, lightness, tenderness, and delicate fragrance, finds a valuable place in woodworking. An age-old tradition persists: planting linden trees in gathering places, as their presence soothes the soul and eases tensions. Thus, they often grace schoolyards, bustling places conducive to their beneficial influence.
Renowned for its health benefits, the linden tree offers a wide range of advantages. It proves to be a valuable ally during colds and flu, promoting sweating and helping to clear up ailments. At the same time, it soothes nighttime restlessness, relieves headaches, and offers insomniacs a gateway to much-desired restorative sleep. This combination of tradition, symbolism, and health benefits makes the linden tree much more than just a tree: it is a guardian of well-being and a symbol of comfort throughout the centuries.
Wood infected by fungus
The Lyon Metropolitan Area plans to regularly cut down silver linden trees in Lyon's parks (Parilly, Tête d'Or) due to a fungus that has attacked these trees following drought and heatwaves. These linden trees, which have stood for about sixty years along a park path, have been the cause of eight accidents in the last four years, including falling trees and branches, even injuring a child in June 2021. Pierre Athanaze, Vice-President of the Lyon Metropolitan Area in charge of the environment, emphasized that this fungus is affecting trees already weakened by extreme weather conditions. In response to these incidents and as part of its efforts to protect parks from climate change, the Metropolitan Area is considering revising its planting policy.
