Recently, I was fortunate enough to run across these amazing displays of nature. I am so in love with the fact that these works of art have been cultivated and cared for by both mankind and Mother nature. I hope that you enjoy seeing them and reading about them as much as I did. My final thoughts are wondering if the people who get to see these works of art on a daily basis truly appreciate them or if they become second nature and taken for granted as sadly most objects become.
Cherry Blossom Tunnel, Germany
Each spring, a peaceful street, located
in the German city of Bonn, transforms into an enchanting cherry blossom
tunnel. Photographer Marcel Bednarz captured this stunning sight of cherry
blossoms in full bloom. He explained to me that there are actually two streets
in Bonn where cherry trees are planted. The one you see in the above picture is
called Heerstraße. As you may know, the average cherry blossom lasts only
between 7 and 10 days, depending on weather conditions.
Rua Gonçalo de Carvalho, Brasil
Brazil’s green
tunnel from Porto Alegre, Rua Gonçalo de Carvalho. According to a decree signed
in 2006 by former mayor Joseph Fogaça, this beautiful street is part of the
country’s historical, cultural, ecological and environmental heritage.There are
more than one hundred towering Tipuana (Rosewood) trees along Rua Gonçalo de
Carvalho. The great shade trees stretch over three city blocks, which is a good
thing for the city’s overall health. Did you know that trees, properly planted
around buildings, can reduce air conditioning demands by up to 30%?
Autumn Tree Tunnel, USA
Photographed in glorious autumn colors
by Kevin McNeal, this tree tunnel is simply astonishing! The picture was taken
on the way up to Smuggler’s Notch, a Vermont state park.
The eye-catching foliage starts changing
its color in the northern region, in response to many environmental factors,
and spreads south as the fall season advances.
Ginkgo Tree Tunnel, Japan
Gingko biloba is a highly venerated tree
in Japanese culture. Six ginkgo trees survived the Hiroshima bombing,
continuing to grow despite facing so many challenges, and are still alive
today. Therefore, the Japanese regard the gingko as “the bearer of hope”. It is
also known as “the survivor” or “the living fossil.”
Around 65,000 ginkgoes grace Tokyo’s
streets, gardens and parks today. According to some people who visited Tokyo,
the tunnel you see in the above picture is located in
the outer garden of Meiji Shrine.
Yew Tree Tunnel, UK
The medieval Aberglasney House features
one of the most beautiful gardens in Wales, UK. They have been an inspiration
to writers since 1470. The Yew Tunnel is a popular tourist attraction in this
area. Believe it or not, it took nine years of pruning to restore this unique
archway. “Years of neglect had left it unsafe and with a perilous future, as
the once formally clipped structure had grown even higher than the top of the
mansion itself It is so nice to see it looking invigorated and healthy again. I
had every confidence that with careful restoration it would help its future
longevity, but I have to confess that it did look drastic at the time,”
declared Graham Rankin, one of Aberglasney’s directors.
The Yew Tunnel is thought to have been
planted by the Dyer family of Aberglasney, during the 18th century.
The Dark Hedges, Northern Ireland
Tucked away in the county of Antrim,
these beautiful beech trees are thought to be around 300 years old. According
to local records, James Stuart planted the 150 beech trees in the 18th century
in order to impress guests as they approached his splendid property, Gracehill
House.
Legend tells that the spirit of a maid,
who lived in a neighboring mansion and died in mysterious circumstances
hundreds of years ago, haunts the country road. “Grey Lady” silently floats
along the road and quickly disappears as she reaches the last beech tree.
Bamboo Path, Japan
The Sagano Bamboo Forest is located in
Arashiyama, a nationally-designated historic site. The pathway you see in the
above picture is 500 meters long and runs through one of Japan’s most beautiful
bamboo forests. No wonder the Agency for Cultural Affairs declared Arashiyama a
“Place of Scenic Beauty”. This forest is close to many famous temple and
shrines, including the Adashino Nenbutsu-ji Temple.
The sound the wind makes, as it blows
through the tall bamboo trees, has been voted by the Japanese authorities as
one of 100 must-preserve sounds of Japan.
Tunnel of Love, Ukraine
The Ukrainian Tunnel of Love is actually
a two-mile sector of private railway that serves a woodworking plant near
Klevan, a small city located in western Ukraine. I read somewhere that couples
pass through this romantic tunnel to make a wish. The myth goes that, if their
love is strong and pure, the wish will come true.
May all of your wishes come true, but
watch out for the train! It runs three times a day through the leafy tunnel.
Jacarandas Walk, South Africa
Over 10 million trees keep South
Africa’s largest city green. According to several unofficial sources,
Johannesburg is home to the world’s largest man-made forest.
There are at least 49 species of
Jacaranda, most of them native to South America (particularly in Uruguay, Brazil,
Peru & Argentina), and the Caribbean basin. The tropical trees were
imported to South Africa more than one hundred years ago.
October is the month when the flowers of
thousands of Jacaranda trees are in full blossom. This spectacular tree tunnel
is located either in Johannesburg or Pretoria, the Jacaranda City where 70,000+
Jacarandas add vivid splashes of purple-blue to the urban landscape.
Wisteria Tunnel, Japan
As soon as the cherry blossom season
ends, the gorgeous Wisteria flowers that hang in grape-like clusters, take
their turn on the Japanese floral calendar. The Fuji Matsuri, or Wisteria
Festival, is celebrated each spring in Tokyo, Shizuoka, and Okazaki.
The Ashikaga Flower Park is one of the
best places to admire different varieties of wisteria, including double-petaled
wisteria, giant wisteria and yellow, white, light pink or purple variants of
wisteria.
