Ilex rotunda

A specimen of Ilex (Ilex rotunda) is dominating the valley in the Japanese locality of Yasu (Kochi, Shikoku).  
In some years (2005, 2012…) it is decorated by an enormous amount of red fruits.  
In other years, this specimen doesn't bear ANY fruit.  
I am observing this behavior for many years, although I didn't achieve a clear understanding for its reasons.  
Many trees species have irregular seedlings and do collaborate with other surrounding trees species to either "starve" their environment (consequently reducing the populations of the various living things which affect their seeds), or to simultaneously produce huge quantities of fruits, well beyond what the then-reduced populations of living things can handle (thus maximizing the chances for their seeds to survive, germinate and grow).  These strategies however rarely result in "no fruiting at all" for several years.
The reasons behind this Ilex behavior are almost certainly similar (this tree may have "ennemies" and / or symbiotic "friends" with cycles comparable to its seedling behavior).   From now on I shall record and study and report!

Ilex rotunda April 2012 specimen 8659 (http://www.naturetum.com/)  

Castanea sativa

 (http://www.naturetum.com/) 

Castanea sativa in the Naturetum champ du Haut

Nous avons tant de magnifiques châtaigniers (Castanea sativa;  castanea [latin] -> kastanon [grec] réfère à Kastanon, une ville de Thessalie renommée dans l’antiquité pour la qualité des châtaignes qu’on y récoltait) dans notre Naturetum de Sologne (http://www.naturetum.com/).

Des arbres qui donnent tout: 

la beauté de leur dôme arrondi qui permet de les identifier de loin toute l'année, 

leur somptueuse floraison du début de l'été qui les fait apparaître comme de gigantesques rhododendrons (les fleurs mâles exhalent un parfum de sperme que d'aucunes et parfois d'aucuns apprécient), 

leur croissance si rapide doublée d'une grande longévité.  Le châtaignier aux cent chevaux situé sur la commune de Sant’Alfio en Sicile (sur les pentes de l’Etna) atteindrait un âge estimé entre 2000 et 4000 ans.  Et dans notre Naturetum nous avons des châtaigniers plusieurs fois centenaires,

leur bois qui fait de beaux meubles et de beaux parquets, mais aussi des piquets très droits de plus de 15 mètres se conservant très longtemps sans traitements,

leurs couleurs automnales,

mais surtout leurs merveilleuses châtaignes, plaisir du riche comme du pauvre, et qui une fois extraites de leur bogue piquante peuvent se cuisiner de bien des façons, à l'étouffée dans des cendres, en délicieux marrons glacés ou bien enveloppés d'une pâte de riz…,

un fruit qui est très beau aussi et dans sa forme, et dans le chatoiement de ses couleurs, 

et les sangliers, les chevaux, etc. adorent leurs bogues, à s'en donner une indigestion, comme il est arrivé un jour au poney Farandole!

Prunus satozakura

Satozakuras in Autumn clothing
Naturetum de Sologne

This name is not an officially accepted name, but this is the one I use to label specific Japanese Cherries.  They were Cherries ("Zakura" or "Sakura" in Japanese) often selected as the ornament of a village ("Sato" in Japanese).  Many of them are now internationally known and cloned, for the pleasure of million of admirers.  
Our Naturetum de Sologne (http://www.naturetum.com/) global target is to protect biodiversity and we do have such a program for the beautiful Prunus sargentii, with many specimens issued from seeds collected in Hokkaido shriving in our woods, asides Prunus avium which occurs naturally therein.
Satozakuras, however, are one of the limited exception for which we constitute a collection of cultivars, because of their unique characters and beauty.  See photos and come to visit our Naturetum, they are magnificent in flowers!

Prunus satozakura 'Tai Haku'
Naturetum de Sologne 

Prunus satozakura 'Ukon'
Naturetum de Sologne

Berberis

From where comes my passion for Berberis.  From the marvelous sculptures of their leaves?  From their delicate blooming?  From the subtle fragrances of their crumpled leaves?  From the enlightening of their Autumn coloring?  From the glistening green of their Summer foliage?  From the gracious stand of many of them?  Or from their fiercely-sharpened thorns?…
At the moment in the Naturetum de Sologne (http://www.naturetum.com/) we have referenced more than an hundred fifty specimen, belonging to ten different species and to twenty different hybrids and culltivars.  We will  love to enlarge the collection, providing we have the funding for more shrubs maintenance (on the long term, shrubs are more demanding than trees). 

Berberis thunbergii f. atropurpurea  specimen 258
Naturetum de Sologne  allée de FarandoleA

Berberis x frikartii  specimen
Naturetum de Sologne  

Je ne sais d'où vient ma folie des Berberis.  Des merveilleuses sculptures de leurs feuilles?  De leurs délicates floraisons?  Des parfums subtils émanant des feuilles froissées?  Des éblouissantes couleurs d'automne?  Du vert brillant de leur feuillage d'été?  Du port gracieux de beaucoup d'entre eux?  Ou bien de leurs redoutables épines acérées?...
Nous avons maintenant dans le Naturetum de Sologne (http://www.naturetum.com/) référencé plus de cent cinquante spécimens, répartis sur plus de dix espèces et sur plus de vingt cultivars et hybrides différents.  Nous irons beaucoup plus loin si nous avons les fonds nécessaires à l'entretien des arbustes, beaucoup plus onéreux dans le long terme que celui des arbres!
Admirez sur l'instant ceux de ces photos, et je reviendrai vous en parler.

Metasequoia glyptostroboides

This is a relic tree, considered as extinct till its rediscovery in China in 1941.   I love its silhouette, the light shining green of its new leaves in early spring, its beautiful Autumn colors…
Many of the trees planted are issued from a few seeds received from China in 1948 and thus show signs of degenerescence, due to poor genetic diversity.  I recommend to those who want to grow that tree to carefully check the origin of the plants (cuttings, seedlings and place where seeds had been harvested, etc.).  It is possible to get fresh seeds to China (unfortunately too many are collected, endangering the natural seedlings of the remaining wild trees, which number less than 6,000).
Eleven specimen are living in the Naturetum de Sologne (http://www.naturetum.com/) so far, with at least nine growing very well.  We intend to saw more with the aim to have at least one hundred trees of different genetics.

Baby Boars too do Dance; la Ronde des Marcassins

In the evening of an early-June day, two of my friends and myself were walking in La Cloche Nauretum  (http://www.naturetum.com/) along the Agénie alley.
As we approached La Martinière lake, we suddenly realized that on the bank left to the lake more than twenty baby wild boars (Sus scrota) were playing together.  At least three families considering the differences in size and in robe colors.  They in fact were running after each other in a dance-like perfect circle.  It seems unbelievable that such a play occurs and more even that it could be observed.
For more than fifteen minutes, and from a distance of less than fifty meters, we could watch this extraordinary show.
Then warning calls came out from the near-buy common broom (Cytisus scoparius) bushes, presumably from mother boars.  Mothers may have suddenly realized that we humans were so closed, and were urging their progeniture to hide back to the bushes, which babies did, though rather slowly as if regretfully.


The theater representation was over but the exquisite remembrance is high in our hearts.  And I am happy that my friends were there and can corroborate this incredible reporting!
I would like to know if anyone else in the World had a similar experience?

La Fercelle lake: Autumn

La Fercelle lake like many others in Sologne was probably made in the middle-age by monks, with the purpose of providing a proteins' source to the local populations.  
This lake is depicted in the Napoléon fiscal mapping ("Cadastre") in the beginning of the 19th. Century.  I didn't find (nor really search for) older maps.  
In the late part of the 20th. Century, the lake land was cultivated and its sluice-gate disabled.  When it became a part of La Cloche Naturetum (http://www.naturetum.com/), we restablish the waters and can now admire many species of visiting water birds.  Especially the lake is a stopover for migrators:  as it is situated in a large open plain, birds can see it from very far, and can also feel secure (as they easily monitor its surroundings).

In Autumn, La Fercelle is a fairyland, with migrating birds flying in and out, swimming, etc., and the splendid colors of the trees in its North.
Please come and visit us!

Prunus padus

In La Cloche Naturetum (http://www.naturetum.com/), the early flowering of our oldest Prunus padus (the Bird Cherry) is a magic event, short in time but so intense.  May be birds too love the lighting of this tree as they come in high number to populate it.  Their songs add to the tree frenzy with its downpour of simple small white flowers soon lying all over the site.
I love you Prunus padus for this show of a musical vision of beauty, but I love you too in Summer when your light shade overshadows the giant hammock I dispose at your foot.  A hammock in which sometimes a visiting beauty rests and adds her sumptuosity to the decor.  A hammock in which other times I let my brain floating in a half dream while humming the fresh air you dispense.
I love you in Autumn for the light song of the wind in your falling leaves.
I love you in Winter for your hosting of birds who much before the Spring claim their will and approbation to life in such a delicately-noisy, delicious, concert.
Prunus padus you decorate the sub-artic and even the artic countries of Euro-Asia, to the pleasure of so many species, including the human one.

Prunus padus  Specimen 1534  Naturetum de Sologne

Farandole got three breakfasts a day!

For ten days in a row Farandole the pony managed to get three breakfast a day, while his escapes remained unnoticed...

7:00 am, Farandole the pony gets up in La Cloche http://www.naturetum.com/

7:00 am, Farandole the pony gets up, and goes out through a secrete pass door he has found in his fence.
Then, Farandole energetically canters two kilometers to the South, cautiously crosses the car road, and reaches the farm where a fellow horse had just been served a succulent breakfast.  Farandole has a share of it, but soon after starts moving four kilometers North East where he knows a fellow donkey got his breakfast served around 7:30.  Again he gasps a share of it, briefly touching the warm head of this second fellow.
Farandole should be relabeled 'the just-in-time horse' as he rushes back South-West to reenter his own pasture before his keeper arrives at 8:00 with a dedicated breakfast.  What a journey!


It is difficult for a bright tricolor pony to remain unnoticed.  In the village there start to be rumors that a pony - and that might well be the one known to live in La Cloche - mysteriously appears here and there in the early mornings.  Also a horse and a donkey seem unusually hungry, and again there are rumors of a well-fit pony running around at their breakfast times.  When I came back to La Cloche Naturetum (http://www.naturetum.com/) the next WE, several people expressed suspicions concerning Farandole early daily routine.
When in La Cloche, I usually get up very early, before dawn, and indeed the next morning I observe from the house top floor what Farandole might be doing.  I saw him moving towards a specific place of his pasture ands next disappearing.  I rush there and found a place in the fence where a pony this size might be able to go.  I waited hidden for about an hour just to hear a pony cantering bravely and soon appearing and going through the suspected pass just before the car of the keeper enters the property.
Of course I fixed the fence more properly and Farandole escapades came to an end;  it took sometimes however before I find out what have exactly been his journeys...

Geese & Oies - Hurricanes Gift

On December 26 & 28 1999, the hurricanes Othar and Martin reached and crossed France. generating considerable damages with winds recorded to up to 259 kilometers per hour:  140 million cubic meters of woods were torn apart, involving more than 60 million trees.  

On December 28th evening, three exhausted Canadian geese (Branta canadensis) literally fell on one of our Naturetum [http://www.naturetum.com] lakes, l'étang du Haut;  initially pushed away by the ducks (Anas platyrhynchos), they got immediate protection from our domestic geese who moved between the aggressive ducks and the three visitors, though not allowing themselves to a close contact.  
For more than two weeks, the three Canadian geese stayed, rested, and shared with the other anatidae the foods we are daily distributing;  then they left.  

Imagine however our surprise when in the following fall two Canadian geese came back with six already-flying juveniles.  

From then, number grows every year  The Canadian geese keep flying from one lake to another but hardly miss an evening visit to our largest lake, l'étang de La Fercelle.  Splendid flies of more than forty individuals have become a routine.

In a late summer day of 2011 we accounted 96 Canadian geese around the lake étang du Haut!

The hunting of these magnificent birds has just (2012) been authorized in France,  When they fly, geese constantly and noisily speak to each other, making it easy to locate them.  Let us hope however that environment-conscious hunters will prevent this population from declining too much.

Branta canadensis

ID-3139 Specimens-6844 and -8709

Naturetum de Sologne  La Cloche  étang du Haut

Les 26 et 28 décembre 1999 les deux tempêtes Othar et Martin ont traversé la France causant des dommages considérables avec des vents jusqu’à 259km/h:  140 millions de m3 de bois abattus en France, impliquant plus de 60 million d’arbres.  
Le soir du 28 décembre, 3 bernaches du Canada (Branta canadensis) épuisées sont littéralement tombées dans l'un des étangs du Naturetum [http://www.naturetum.com], l’étang du Haut;  initialement repoussées par les canards colverts (Anas platyrhynchos), elles ont été immédiatement protégées par nos oies blanches domestiques qui se sont interposées entre les canards agressifs et les trois visiteuses, sans cependant se permettre une proximité immédiate.
Après être restées plus de deux semaines, s'être reposées et avoir mangé du grain avec les autres anatidaea, les bernaches repartirent.  
Quelle ne fut pas notre surprise dès lors de voir deux bernaches revenir à l’automne nanties de six oisons déjà volants.  
Depuis chaque année le nombre s’accroît, les bernaches se déplacent d’un étang à l’autre mais manquent rarement leur rendez-vous du soir sur l’étang de la Fercelle depuis qu’il est en eau;  des vols splendides, de plus de 40 oiseaux.

Par une belle journée de la fin de l'été 2011, nous avons compté 96 bernaches posées autour de l'étang du Haut! 

 La chasse de ces magnifiques oiseaux vient (2012) d'être autorisée en France.  Lorsqu'elles volent, les oies "parlent" constamment entre elles, et il est donc facile de les localiser.  Souhaitons par conséquent que des chasseurs conscients de la fragilité de l'environnement sachent prévenir un trop grand déclin de cette population.

Camellia x williamsii ‘Daintiness’

In the early 1930s a man called J C Williams hybridized several Camellia japonica with Camellia saluenensis.  Many of his resulting hybrids are magnificent bushes (though there are a few I like less), cold-hardy to minus 15ºC, and able to prosper in many situations.

The one depicted below had been introduced to La Cloche [http://www.naturetum.com] in 1989, and flowers profusely since then, generally in late January to March.  

In 2011, thank to a relatively mild weather, I had the exquisite pleasure to see the first flower opening on the very day of my anniversary, December 27th.  What a serving plant!   In early January, there were already several tens of flowers open, with many hundreds of buds awaiting.  

This depicted specimen is roughly 2.5 meters high to four meters wide, and is planted in full sun with no protection.  However, the soil surrounding this bush is very rich and very well-drained.  I had to remove several other bushes to accommodate this specimen steady growth, and more removals may have to occur in the future.

I planted this year two of his children and I am attempting to grow more specimens of this outstanding cultivar.

But today I would like to thank Mr. Williams for the joy he has created!

Camellia x williamsii  ‘Daintiness’  [C. japonica  ‘Magnoliiflora’  x C. saluenensis ]

ID-368 Specimen-465 since 1989

Naturetum de Sologne  La Cloche  massif Sud Est  6 January 2012 

Geese & Oies - Anser anser visits La Cloche

What a great big bird visiting La Cloche Naturetum [http://www.naturetum.com] on October 16th 2011.

She looks like a domestic goose and in fact her species is likely their ancestor.

But she flies wonderfully!

It was the very first time we noticed such a presence.

This Anser anser stayed for a few days only but it was such an impressive visit, flying over l'étang du Haut, landing there near the many other birds we usually enjoy.

Why this year and why alone and why does she quit so fast, I unfortunately do not know.  

But many migrating birds often make a short stay, and mid-October is a reasonable timing for flying South.

Have a safe good trip and please come back, Anser anser.

Anser anser  ID-3144 specimen-6849  Naturetum de La Cloche  16 Oct. 2011

Ce très bel oiseau a visité le Naturetum de La Cloche [http://www.naturetum.com] le 16 octobre 2011.

Il ressemble à une oie domestique et en fait son espèce est probablement leur ancêtre.

Mais une oie qui vole magnifiquement bien!

Et elle n'avait pas encore été observé dans notre Naturetum, c'est la toute première fois.

Cet Anser anser ne resta que quelques jours, mais ce fut une visite impressionnante alors qu'elle volait au dessus de l'étang du Haut et se posait à proximité des autres palmipèdes usuellement présents.

Pourquoi cette année et pourquoi solitaire et pourquoi nous quitta-t-elle si vite, je ne le sais pas.

Mais beaucoup d'oiseaux migrateurs ne restent que peu de temps, et mi-octobre est une époque raisonnable pour voler vers le sud.

Ayez un vol bon et sûr et s'il vous plaît revenez, Anser anser.

Magnolia obovata

My love for plants and animals continues to thrieve!

Magnolia obovata is a favorite.  The splendid specimen depicted below was introduced to La Cloche Naturetum [http://www.naturetum.com] in 2004 from the Bagatelle nursery, presumably at around four years old.  I expect its very fragrant & creamy white flowering at around 15 years old, therefore circa year 2015.  A beautiful red fruiting should follow. 

When fully grown, this majestic tree may reach 30 meters or more.

In 2006, I obtained seeds from Hokkaido, Japan, and could implement more trees in 2008 (six, but five are suffering from wild boars ploughing), 2010 (four with one suffering from a deer attack), 2011 (two specimens).  

A small (11 seeds) additional seedling was also performed in 2011.  

If nature permits, I am planning more introductions and seeds in 2012 and beyond, and my goal is to attain a minimum of one hundred genetically different mature trees growing in the Naturetum of La Cloche.

08 June 2008 11:18 Naturetum de La Cloche Allée du Gaz B-impair

Magnolia obovata ID-1942 specimen 4473

25 May 2008 14:14 Naturetum de La Cloche 

Magnolia obovata ID-1942 specimen 4473

Vassal Magic Jump

It rained yesterday.  Now the country and forest are illuminated by the many small lakes reverberating the sun  The air is vividly enhanced by a rich mix of smells from drying plants and leaves,  Evaporating waters create irregular visions dancing in this early morning.

Vassal the new horse arrived yesterday and took possession of his large, East-orientated house.  His beige pelage is shining as he watched me approaching.  What a nice horse and a great day, let us go together for a promenade in the woods!

Vassal seemingly agree with the program as he almost help me to dress up saddle and reins, "let us happen to know each other" we both feel as we walk out of the house and stop in front of the central fountain.  One second later, I am up, and we combine into a new single bicephalous animal, feeling the warmth and pulse of each other.

Vassal and myself are calm, forward, and straight, as we leisurely take the pathway to the nearby forest.   As the sun is raising, the woods are penetrated by multiple rays of light, the atmosphere becomes warmer and the waters on the grounds glitter as trays of diamonds.  

Vassal and myself were just thinking to start a trot or, why not, a canter, when a large plash of water appeared in front of us, covering the trail for several meters.  As we maintain our walking allure and approach the obstacle, I didn't detect any tense in Vassal actions.  About a meter before Vassal's feet reach the water, we both fly into the air in a smooth but irresistible jump.  No muscle preparation or otherwise muscle warning demand seem to have occurred as we land in a perfectly proper manner on the other side of the many meters plash.

I cannot believe the event, no other horses I rode before have even approached this extraordinary degree of strength and agility, this is totally beyond my experiences, knowledges and abilities.  Though I enjoyed it immensely, I also decided to calmly pursue with walking only.  With Vassal, cantering or even trotting might be more than what I could afford!

Vassal did not seem disturbed by my decision and kindly accepted my behavior, we walked together for well over an hour, then came back safe to the stables.  As I stepped down, I stayed with this magical moment which is still deeply moving me fifty years later.  I cheerfully kissed the front of Vassal and even today remember the warm smell of his nose skin.  Vassal had been such a great horse!

Alley d'Ama, La Cloche Naturetum

BUHI!!

Once upon a time, when winter wishes to rest and spring appears hesitatingly, someone gets nose problems. He put his nose in the air as there are so much fragrances. He puts his nose in the earth, as there are many movements undergrounds. He is very busy to sniff and to send fresh air into the earth.
Sky is blue, petals dance with wind, he is diligent.
When he puts up his face from the earth after ploughing for a long time, he sees tow thin petals flying to him. He fascinatedly watches them. What a nice delicate little UFO!! What a pleasure to see them so near!!
He looks them breathtakingly. They are coming soon!! Here they are!!
"Buhi!!, I cannot breathe!!"
Suddenly he feels stiffing and he moves his body haphazardly. He cannot see around well as tears drop from his eyes. "What is happening?" His voice is feeble.
Then, wind blows strongly.
"Don't worry baby." Something moves very fast in front of him and fresh air comes into his nose with so many fragrances of spring breathes. Tears are blown away by the motion, and he opens his eyes as much as he can.
In front of him, there is a bird who is holding her wings slowly. Behind her, there are many petals flying here and there. She smiled and said elegantly.
"Better not close your nice nose with flower petals. Your nose turns the earth, the earth raises various creatures, they give us our life. Thank you baby"
"I must say thank you for saving me from suffocation. But if I can say, I am not a baby. I am a respectable adult wild boar. May I ask your name?"
"Oh, Excuse me. I am a crane supposed to live for one thousand years, and do live"
"BUHI!!"

a lonely boar is visiting the horse paddock, La Cloche Naturetum