There is a Dead Tree in the Middle of My Town

There stands a dead tree in the middle of my town.

One stormy night back in 1994, the heavy crown of the tree broke off, sending hundreds of kilos of trunk crashing on the pavement. It broke off because it was infested with an invasive form of fungus. With a heavy heart, the town decided to cut off this tree that was rotting away. The morning paper that day read, “Nuenen in tears for a sickly tree”. The town had a ceremony for it – complete with speeches and music.

Nowadays, tourists visiting the town unknowingly walk past this titan that used to be a subject of awe and fear. For a few seconds, they curiously stare at the massive stump. They marvel at how huge the girth is of the trunk and maybe take a photo or two before walking away.

I used to do this too - took a picture without knowing the significance. I mean, “People are taking photos, so maybe it was important? I’d better take one too, so I won’t miss whatever this is."

Curiosity made me look it up. No one would just keep this massive stump in the middle of the town for no reason, right?

What I found that incredibly interesting. I ended up pouring over old articles and documentation to learn about the history of different places in my town. Most of them – if not all - were written in Dutch. Those written in Dutch gave more historical details.

Apparently, this stump was called the Lindeboom. It was at least 400 years old - one of the oldest trees in Europe. During the peak of its height, the townsfolk would hold assemblies (of celebration or mourning) and settle disputes (as if it’s a judicial court) underneath this tree. Those found guilty were hanged and those who were heroic were celebrated underneath its once thick branches. It was a custom stemming from an old Germanic tribal law.

Because of the things I learned about it, I have discovered a whole new level of appreciation for the place. Thus, almost every old place I visit now, I think about its past and its story. I look up what this place was and who it used to be.

So, what do I love sharing most to others here in Google Maps?

Because of this dead tree, I was inspired to look up the history of places around me. I love including interesting facts and short historical notes of the place. I like to think that I’m giving the reader a different perspective. I hope that this gives them the courage and enthusiasm to travel that distance.

I realize that there is more to tell than whether this place has accessibility, or it’s only open on Mondays, or whether there is parking available here. All of those are already shared endlessly and repeatedly by everybody else. But it’s very rare to find a review that tells the reader what this place used to be and why it’s special.

Someone in Google Maps has already left a review of the Lindeboom, saying that, “I wouldn’t go there specially for this.” But I totally disagree!

Everybody can be a storyteller. This is not limited to me or to us local guides alone. We have the ability to encourage others to explore more and let them see for themselves that the places tell their own stories.

Persons from the past wrote poems and songs about this tree - a tree that can live for almost as if forever, but yet was never invincible to death. I guess I’m one of them now and this is another ode to the dead tree.

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Wow! What a fantastic story. It is beautifully written and really absorbed me into the experience. Old trees deserve the same respect of life that animals receive. It is great to read a tale of a tree that received this respect.

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Such an interesting story @ellecross Keep Sharing :slight_smile:

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Really nice pics@ellecross, thank you. Dead tree and its use-- amazing.

Post more nice pics.

Best wishes.