Trees of Peace & Friendship

The Friendship Tree Trail – Trees of Peace and Friendship.

Proposal

Establish trees of Peace and Friendship in Vale parks and subsequently throughout Wales and beyond.

Background

A ‘Tree of Friendship’ was established at the Knap Lake and Gardens in Barry South Wales, May 2010. Since that date it has been embraced by residents and visitors alike. Many people have added a contribution to the tree and receive great comfort by its presence. Every summer a concert is arranged in the park to celebrate the idea behind the tree – ‘The Friendship Tree Festival’. 100’s of people gather to celebrate nature, art, peace and community, a universal message of hope. The tree promotes health and well-being in a gentle nurturing setting.

Establishing a Tree.

If a suitable tree exists this is rather simple. A plaque is placed near the tree with a paragraph explaining what it is about and a couple of ribbons are tied to its branches to get the community started and that’s it, just watch it grow. The information on the plaque also links to the art4uwales.org.uk website offering further background information and images. It could also appear on the Vale of Glamorgan website linking to health and wellbeing.

Costs incurred may include buying and planting a suitable tree and plaque. The original tree also has 8 large stones at its base to create a stone circle which are painted gold, red and white.

Costs.

The cost of a new tree and plaque can range from £200 – £350 as they need to be mounted, installed and           bi-lingual. Any addition costs of technical administration, promotion and event organisation supporting each new tree can range from £150 – £200.

Development.

With Barry as the starting point, Peace and Friendship Trees could be established throughout Vale parks and beyond. The website will document the ‘growth’ of these trees and reveal the interconnected network. The development will be celebrated at the Festival in the summer

Some example information for plaque (this can be edited to suit location and tree variety if necessary).

The Tree of Peace and Friendship.

Trees are the supreme symbols of dynamic growth, seasonal death and regeneration. Reverence for their power goes far back to primitive beliefs that god’s and spirits inhabited them. This idea evolved in European folklore into the idea of the ‘Tree-man’ or ‘Green- Man’. For the Celts the tree was held in high esteem and as something sacred, together with standing stones they became the focal point of many sacred places. As mythologies developed, the idea of the tree forming a central axis for the flow of divine energy linking supernatural and natural worlds took symbolic shape in the legendary Tree of Life – a cosmic tree, rooted in the waters of the underworld and passing through earth to heaven. Through the Tree of Life, humanity ascends from its lower nature toward spiritual illumination and release from the cycle of being. The symbol of an evergreen tree is particularly positive as it represents an everlasting life, undying spirit and eternal strength.

Information about tree ( e.g. at the Knap gardens).

Cedrus atlantica, the Atlas cedar, is a cedar native to the Atlas Mountains of Morocco

Fully grown, Atlas cedar is a large coniferous evergreen tree, 30–35 m (rarely 40 m) tall, with a trunk diameter of 1.5–2 m. Currently, Morocco has the highest total surface of Atlas cedar in the world

Please take a moment to tie something special to the tree to mark your connection with our community and someone dear to you.

For further information about other Peace and Friendship trees in your area, please connect with www.art4uwales.org.uk

The Tree of Peace and Friendship.

Because of their longevity and usefulness, trees have always been revered, with sacred groves in various cultures, and they play a role in many of the world’s mythologies.. Reverence for their power goes far back to primitive man’s belief that gods and spirits inhabited them. This idea evolved in European folklore into the idea of the ‘Tree-man’ or ‘Green- Man’. For the Celts the tree was held in high esteem and as something sacred, together with standing stones they became the focal point of many sacred places. The symbol of an evergreen tree is particularly positive as it represents an everlasting life, undying spirit and eternal strength.

Trees play a significant role in reducing erosion and moderating the climate. They remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store large quantities of carbon in their tissues. Trees and forests provide a habitat for many species of animals and plants. Trees provide shade and shelter, timber for construction, fuel for cooking and heating, and fruit for food as well as having many other uses.

Please take a moment to tie something special to the tree to mark your connection with our community and someone dear to you.

For further information about other Peace and Friendship trees in your area, please connect with www.art4uwales.org.uk

The Friendship Tree

Cedrus atlantica, the Atlas cedar. ( insert as appropriate ).

This tree is a special marker nurturing the power of nature, creativity and community to enhance our health and well-being. Please take a moment to tie something special to the tree to mark your connection with our community and someone dear to you. For further information about other Friendship trees in your area, please connect with www.art4uwales.org.uk ( add Vale of Glamorgan website or relevant site for different groups ).

This would also be in Welsh if necessary.

The Friendship Tree

Cedrus atlantica, the Atlas cedar. ( insert as appropriate ).

True Friendship is based on trust,

When two genuine hearts meet in freedom.

May all be kind to each other.

Please take a moment to tie something special to the tree to mark your connection with our community and someone dear to you.

Art4UWales.Org.Uk.

Trees with plaques at the Knap Lake and Gardens and Romilly Park, Barry.

            

            

We aim to make an A3 leaflet and digital application showing an inter-connected map of the sites.

Potential Sites include:

Romilly Park, Barry (now included)
Victoria Park, Barry

Cadoxton Green ( now included)
Belle View Park, Penarth
Central Park, Barry ( pending, Story tree ).
St Athan
Cowbridge
Roath Park, Cardiff.
Bute Park, Cardiff.

Overseas connections

We have connected with a group in Colorado and Bhutan.

The Friendship Tree Festival.

As the tree became established and embraced by the community a festival was organised to celebrate nature, creativity and the subsequent well- being.

          

          

Contact:

Glyn@glynpooley.com
Glyn@art4uwales.org.uk
www.art4uwlaes.org.uk