Art from the withered tree: Viljandi honors its roots!

Art from the withered tree: Viljandi honors its roots!

In a surprising twist in the Viljandimaa community, the so-called Ilmapuu, a mighty and dry oak trunk, was removed from the park. This trunk was left behind to appear monumental and serve as a living reminder of the region's nature and traditions. Loud Sakala A work of art was created from the wood of the oak trunk, which depicts the old Viljandimaa patterns and family symbols.

The loss of the Ilmapuu, an important symbol for the locals, also left local historian Peep Tobreluts in distress. He has led many groups through the region and introduced people to the worldview of their ancestors. Tobreluts explains that this worldview consists of three parts: the upper world, the middle world and the underworld. In his estimation, the Ilmapuu's disappearance was an unexpected development, although it was originally not intended to last much time.

The oak as a symbol and its properties

The oak (Quercus) is known for its slow but consistent growth and can reach heights of up to 40 meters. It is not only widespread in Europe, but also in Asia and America. The large, green leaves turn yellow or red in autumn and fall off in winter, only to grow back again in spring. Oak trees bear fruit called acorns, which are edible to many animals. Its resilience and use in various industries make the oak a valuable tree.

Loud Postposmo Various species belong to the genus Quercus, including:

• Quercus Humilis: Lehttamm, bis zu 25 m hoch und in Europa sowie der Türkei verbreitet.
• Quercus petraea: Talvetamm, 20-30 m hoch, eine Art aus den europäischen Gebirgen.
• Quercus faginea: Aleppo-Tamm, 20 m hoch, aus dem Mittelmeerraum.
• Pyrénées Quercus: 25 m hoch, bekannt aus den Pyrenäen und Nordafrika.
• Quercus rubra: Amerikanische rote Eiche, die bis zu 40 m hoch werden kann, heimisch in den USA und Kanada.
• Harilik tamm: In Europa weit verbreitet, vor allem in Deutschland und Lettland als Nationalbaum geschätzt.

Care and use of oak

For optimal growth, the oak needs a temperate climate and should be at least 10 meters away from other plants. Care should be taken to ensure that the soil is organically rich and well-drained. Regular watering is important because oak trees cannot tolerate drought. Not only are they aesthetically pleasing, but they also have a variety of uses: in the garden landscape, as a source of feed for livestock, and as a building material for various structures.

The removal of Ilmapuu has conjured up memories of the oak's traditional role in the region. It represents not only people's closeness to nature, but also the deep-rooted cultural aspects of the Viljandimaa community, which are kept alive through this depiction of the past.