This large Holm Oak (Encina in Spanish) is located along a popular mountain bike route that is in fact the trajectory of an old set of train tracks that has been converted into a "Via Verde" (a green path). This particular stretch runs from Puerto Serrano to Olvera. This large Holm oak makes for a nice resting area for the bikers.
Showing posts with label Spain. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Spain. Show all posts
Largest Spanish fir - "Pinsapo de la escalereta"
Not too far off the highway that leads form the "Costa del Sol" up to the old city of Ronda there is a large old Spanish fir (Abies pinsapo) that is called the "Pinsapo de la Escalereta". It is the largest of this rare fir species. The mountain range where the last remaining virgin forest can be found is called the "Sierra de las nieves" (Snow mountains). The area has been declared a biosphere reserve to protect the Spanish fir and its ecosystem.
Sabina of "El Hierro" Island
This ancient Phoenicean Juniper is a famous tree on the Spanish island of "El Hierro" (name means Iron). The word Sabina is Spanish for Juniper. This tree is the most well known of many Juniper trees on the island that have been deformed by the constant wind. According to the locals there used to be large numbers of Junipers on the Island but because their wood was prized for making tables, stools, torches etc they were cut down and used until only the most deformed ones were left. These were not cut because their shape made them not very usable.
Hayedo de Montejo - Ancient Beech Forest
Hayas y robles en el hayedo de Montejo. Beech and oak trees in the Montejo beech wood., originally uploaded by Xosé Castro.
In Spanish the name of the Beech tree is "Haya" and the word "Hayedo" means Beech forest. Near the town of Montejo (about an hour drive north of Madrid) there is a famous "Hayedo" or Beech forest. Apart from the fact that it is a very beautiful forest in its own right with the feel of being enchanted in spring and autumn it´s main claim to fame is that it is the southernmost oldgrowth beech forest in Europe. They say that Beech trees used to grow much more extensively throughout Spain but that over the centuries the changing climate slowly drove them north. Farther north from Montejo it is not uncommon to find "Hayedos".
Great Old Chestnut of Baamonde - Spain
In the town of Baamonde, Galicia (Spain) there is a very old Chestnut tree with a small chapel in its trunk!
The hollow has been converted into a niche (a place where small statures of the Virgin Mary or other saints are kept) Inside there are several small statues carved from wood taken from the inside of this same tree. The carver was Victor Corral.
Castaño Santo de Istan - Sacred Chestnut of Istan
This is a very large Sweet Chestnut tree (Castanea Sativa) located up in the mountains above San Pedro de Alcantara in southern Spain. It is a rather difficult tree to find if you are not familiar with the area. There is a rough dirt road that starts at the backside of a golf course in San Pedro. Once you are on the right dirt road it is about an one hour of very slow driving (or hiking if you are up to it). The best way seems to be to go by Quad or dirt bike. About 20km up the dirt road you come to a sign and another dirt road where you turn left and go down about 200 yards to the tree following some signs. The Sacred Chestnut is in a stand of old growth trees that include some very large Oaks (most of which are Cork Oaks). The day I visited this tree I scared out a wild pig that was feeding on acorns under the Cork Oaks. The Sweet Chestnut is the tree that edible Chestnuts grow on.
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