Fosso will never be the same if the tree dies



The Emblem of Vitality

“The Cedars know the history of the earth better than history itself.”
Alphonse de Lamartine, French poet and historian (1790-1869).

Planted in 1823 (according to Pina Iacopucci Marroni in her book Barga e i suoi Castelli 1965) or earlier in 1815 according to the offical list of Monumental Trees in the Province of Lucca

When ever it actually was is now of little importance as the monumental Lebanese Cedar tree which has dominated the Fosso for around 180 is now very, very ill and looking like a tree that will have great difficulty in passing the coming winter intact.

Botanical experts from Pisa University checked on the health of the ailing tree in June of this year and the comune closed off the whole area while the tests were taking place. The summer is now over but the area is still sealed off and the future is starting to look grim for the 23 meter tall giant.

The alarm was first raised way back in 1983 when the Cedar was named as one of the trees at risk by the author Valido Capodarca in his book Toscana, "Cento Alberi da Salvare" - "Tuscany, 100 trees to save" but it has been really only in the last 3 or 4 years that the difference in the foliage has been noticable to the non expert. The famous cool shade under the tree during the summer just did not arrive. The tree was almost bare. Now, unless the experts from Pisa can come up with a remedy, the Fosso will have even less shade in the summer for many years to come.

"The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree, and grow like a Cedar in Lebanon."(Psalms 92:12)