On the green infront of the church at St.Mars sur la Futaie, is a Hawthorn tree reputed to be almost 1800 years old.
It has been declared by the local community to be the oldest in France. A claim disputed by other contenders.
I can just fly close enough to the NFZ of the village to pick it out with the full zoom on the M2Z.
Not to be deterred, we later went on foot to the revered spot and photographed it by traditional means.
It still flowers every year, although it is heavily supported by rocks, baulks of timber and steel pins to preserve it.

"Sans doute!"

Great capture mate

A J Posted at 9-8 11:21
Great capture mate

Thanks AJ.  It's probably the most photographed tree in France as well

Depp Posted at 9-8 11:17
"Sans doute!"

Indisputable, or so the locals say, Depp. Thanks.

Blériot53 Posted at 9-8 11:40
Thanks AJ.  It's probably the most photographed tree in France as well

I'm not surprised mate

A J Posted at 9-8 11:46
I'm not surprised mate

Strange, 'cos it's an ugly gnarled old thing with visible life support propping it up all round.  Bits keep falling off, and it's been pruned countless times. But every Spring out pop the flowers and it looks great for a while.

Blériot53 Posted at 9-8 11:55
Strange, 'cos it's an ugly gnarled old thing with visible life support propping it up all round.  Bits keep falling off, and it's been pruned countless times. But every Spring out pop the flowers and it looks great for a while.

But is historic and very, very old!

A J Posted at 9-8 12:20
But is historic and very, very old!

A bit older than me, at any rate

Blériot53 Posted at 9-8 13:04
A bit older than me, at any rate

1,800 Years old - WOW! Planted around c200AD - unbelievable. What was it like in those days mate

A J Posted at 9-8 13:09
1,800 Years old - WOW! Planted around c200AD - unbelievable. What was it like in those days mate

Well, there was no Covid 19 and no income tax, for a start

Blériot53 Posted at 9-8 13:11
Well, there was no Covid 19 and no income tax, for a start

Just leprosy lol

A J Posted at 9-8 13:13
Just leprosy lol

  I've PM ed you the YT link for the jet pass

Blériot53 Posted at 9-8 13:18
I've PM ed you the YT link for the jet pass

Thanks mate!

Blériot53 Posted at 9-8 13:18
I've PM ed you the YT link for the jet pass

They were indeed way too low! That would of easily concerned me

Very nice shots. The place is so nicely tucked away.

A J Posted at 9-8 13:22
They were indeed way too low! That would of easily concerned me

The other two passed behind us, even closer. My good lady was startled out of her wits.

Blériot53 Posted at 9-8 13:25
The other two passed behind us, even closer. My good lady was startled out of her wits.

I bet she was mate - the noise too but have made your hair stand up

nevac Posted at 9-8 13:23
Very nice shots. The place is so nicely tucked away.

Thanks nevac. It's a quaint little place, not far from the Basilica at Pontmain.

Hello there Blériot53. Thank you for reaching out and for posting these amazing photos you have captured. That tree looks so amazing. Great work and two thumbs up.

DJI Stephen Posted at 9-8 22:47
Hello there Blériot53. Thank you for reaching out and for posting these amazing photos you have captured. That tree looks so amazing. Great work and two thumbs up.

Thank you DJI Stephen.

Curious,  just the other day I learnt how to date a tree without cutting it down and counting the rings,   the method involves measuring up the tree 1.5m and then measuring the circumference.  You then divide that by a number for the species.  For example an oak thats 100cm circumference/1.88 is 53 years old.   Now what's odd is that this method is going to work on that tree,  not if its the oldest at least.

Great photos! I hope they take good care of it. thanks for sharing

Very nice find!


v

DAFlys Posted at 9-9 01:52
Curious,  just the other day I learnt how to date a tree without cutting it down and counting the rings,   the method involves measuring up the tree 1.5m and then measuring the circumference.  You then divide that by a number for the species.  For example an oak thats 100cm circumference/1.88 is 53 years old.   Now what's odd is that this method is going to work on that tree,  not if its the oldest at least.

I expect it depends just how many bits have dropped off it over the centuries.  There are scars and splilts all around it where bits have fallen away or been pruned.  Every year, they say it won't survive another winter. But then it does.

ALABAMA Posted at 9-9 04:07
Very nice find!

Thanks Alabama. We've known about this tree for the last twenty years or so, and pass through the village occasionally on our travels. Each year they expect the winter to finish it off, but come the spring and sure enough, it flowers again.  It's got an extensive life support system of rocks and timbers supporting the largest branches, and steel bolts and bands trying to keep it in shape.  I'll be back there next spring to see if it survives another winter

A J Posted at 9-8 13:09
1,800 Years old - WOW! Planted around c200AD - unbelievable. What was it like in those days mate

By contrast, at the entry to the village, a few hundred yards from the church, are the NEWEST trees. Recently-planted apple saplings

Blériot53 Posted at 9-9 09:46
By contrast, at the entry to the village, a few hundred yards from the church, are the NEWEST trees. Recently-planted apple saplings
[view_image]

Thats a lovely shot mate.

A J Posted at 9-9 09:47
Thats a lovely shot mate.

The new ones will still be around long after I'm gone
Been out chateau-bagging again today. Skirting the edges of NFZ to get detail with the M2Z.

Blériot53 Posted at 9-9 09:53
The new ones will still be around long after I'm gone
Been out chateau-bagging again today. Skirting the edges of NFZ to get detail with the M2Z.

These trees will still be around long after people who are not even born yet will be long gone lol

Look forward to seeing your footage mate

Very cool detail!

Montfrooij Posted at 9-9 10:57
Very cool detail!

Thanks Monty. Did you see my later addition of the NEWEST trees in the same village?  Saplings just 200m from the old Hawthorn.

Blériot53 Posted at 9-9 11:01
Thanks Monty. Did you see my later addition of the NEWEST trees in the same village?  Saplings just 200m from the old Hawthorn.

Missed it.

Blériot53 Posted at 9-9 09:46
By contrast, at the entry to the village, a few hundred yards from the church, are the NEWEST trees. Recently-planted apple saplings
[view_image]

Wow, that is also cool!

Montfrooij Posted at 9-9 11:08
Wow, that is also cool!

And, just to debunk this village's claim to have the oldest tree in France, I find another, older one:

An Oak tree in a small village in France has been carved to hold not one, but two chapels inside! Situated in Allouville-Bellefosse, this magnificent Quercus is France's oldest standing tree, and it has survived thousands of years of strong winds, electric storms, and many violent wars.

Blériot53 Posted at 9-9 11:13
And, just to debunk this village's claim to have the oldest tree in France, I find another, older one:

An Oak tree in a small village in France has been carved to hold not one, but two chapels inside! Situated in Allouville-Bellefosse, this magnificent Quercus is France's oldest standing tree, and it has survived thousands of years of strong winds, electric storms, and many violent wars.

Ghegheghe.
Just like a couple of dutch villages claim to be 'the center village' of NL