Jaap van 't Veen's photos with the keyword: boom

This over-aged olive tree has known Byzantine despots, Frankish and Venetian rulers, Ottoman conquerors and lived through the Greek Revolution. It survived wars, fires and looting and is now a remarkable "monumental olive tree". Although the passage of time has chiselled its wooden body, giving it reliefs, it has remained intact and has continued to bear its precious fruits. This particular olive tree belongs to the variety of Myrtolias, which is mainly cultivated in Greece. It is located at an altitude of 260 meters. This variety is mainly used for the production of very high quality olive oil and is resistant to cold and dryness. The trunk base circumference is more than 14 meters and the tree is 8 meters high. Comparing the data of some other olive trees in Greece, the Apidea olive tree is probably in its second millennium or has already passed it. A sign next to the tree tells it is more than 2.000 years old.

Pinetum de Belten is an arboretum with only conifers. This pinetum was founded by Squire Mr. P.R Feith in 1961, when he started collecting pine-trees from all over the world. Pinetum de Belten is grown from the start to 1400 different types of pine trees. Due to lack of space for so many trees in 1992 the decision was made at around 700 trees to be grubbed up. Sub-tropical trees are removed out of the collection.Nowadayas there are more than 1000 different kinds of trees. Species must be able to grow in this environment. A single exception is made for unique items of the collection. Since 1974 the pinetum is managed by a foundation. The main goal is to maintain and care for the collection of pine trees. Pinetum de Belten is free to visit, although a voluntary donation is very welcome.

The plane tree in Tsagarada is one of the oldest trees in Europe. It is located in the square of Tsagarada in front of the Agia Paraskevi (PiP4). According to foresters, the tree is around 1000 years old. The circumference of the trunk measures over 15 meters. The crown of the plane tree is so large that it is difficult to measure it. Its perimeter may even be 40 meters. The branches are as thick as a tree trunk. The general condition of the tree is very good. However, the trunk has a cavity which is closed with a metal sheet. One of the branches is supported by a marble pillar. What might have not been taken into account for the age of the tree is that its roots start at about four meters under the paving of the square. Therefore, a large part of the trunk is “buried” for many years now at a depth of at least four meters.

Nearby the hamlet of Agia Varvara one can find a unique tiny church, build in the trunk of a 300 year huge oak tree. This tree church is dedicated to Saint Paisios. It is believed that Saint Paisios, one of the most beloved figures in the Orthodox Church, passed through the area in his youth, going to nearby villages to carry out carpentry work and repairs in local houses. The blessed tree had suffered severe destruction and fire, resulting in deteriorating condition. With each passing year, its condition worsened and there was a fear it might collapse. However , thanks to a local villager, the weak tree was internally shielded with local stone. A miracle happened and the tree has turned green again. On the outside, there is a small bell, while on the inside, which only holds two people, there is a recess where the visitor can light his candle, a candelabrum, an icon of Christ, an icon of the Virgin Mary and in the center the icon of Saint Paisios.

San Lorenzo (or officially Villa San Lorenzo) is an enchanting green village located in the Lerma Valley at the foor of the mountains of Salta. It’s a tranquil village with a relaxed atmosphere about 10 kilometers away from the colonial city of Salta , which is easily accessible by car or bus. It has a small center; don’t know if it is the same as during our visit, but you can get an impression in PiP1. Many inhabitants of Salta have built their (weekend) houses or mansions in this green enchanting suburb with its unusual subtropical micro climate. San Lorenzo has typical leafy roads lined with impressive trees. See main image and PiP2. The Quebrada de San Lorenzo (PiP3) is located just outside the village. This gorge offers walks through a green landscape with a crystal clear river and lush vegetation in a mountainside Yungas forest (a mix of mountain jungle and Andean forests).

Just a flowering tree (Persian silk tree or pink silk tree) on a beach along the coast of the Gulf of Corinth north of Galaxidi; a small harbour and fishing village.

Oytal is a valley in the south of Oberstdorf and gets its name from the river Oybach. The valley is situated on an altitude of 1.000 meters. In the winter it ‘ends’ at the Berggasthof Oytalhaus, about 5 km’s from Oberstdorf. Besides walking and cycling (summer), one can take a carriage ride through this beautiful valley. Characteristic for the Oy valley is the avenue, lined with numerous mount maples, with a length of more than 1 km.

Autumn along the 'Apeldoorn - Dierens Kanaal' nearby Oosterhuizen. This is the second part of the 'Apeldoorns Kanaal', a waterway from Hattem in the north to Dieren in the south. After arriving of King Willem I digging of the northern part started in 1825. Plans for the southern part between Apeldoorn and Dieren came into execution and digging began. Ten years later the canal was officially opened. In 1972 the canal was closed for shipping traffic; nowadays you only may see a canoe, rowing boat or pedal boat in the canal. More information about the Apeldoorns Kanaal (Dutch)l: www.apeldoornskanaal.com

Grove of trees on the golf course of the Veluwse Golf Club. PiP's: During winter (and snow) no golf players but children using their sleds.

St. Gallenkirch - Montafon - Vorarlberg: snow covered pine trees along a skirun nearby Garfrescha. (picture taken with a Rollei Prego 90 > scanned)

The ‘Beekberger Enk’ is located between the villages Beekbergen, Lieren and Oosterhuizen more or less against a moraine, which came into being during the last ice age about 150,000 years ago. In the 19th century parts of the ‘enk’ still were heath land and shifting sand dunes. Farmers held sheep on these waste grounds. Sheepfolds were often found in the villages and every day the sheep were driven out to the heath and returned every night to their barn. The manure of the sheep in the barn, mixed with heather sods, was used to fertilize the landscaped acres. On this way came contiguous agricultural lands into being between the three villages. They were called ‘enk’. Some fields have been raised a meter or more during the last centuries. They still have a typical profile: high in the center and lower at the borders. The fields on the ‘Beekberger Enk’ are still used as arable land and one can still see the ‘hilly’ profile.

Apeldoorn - Dierens Kanaal is the second part of the Apeldoorns Kanaal, a waterway from Hattem in the north to Dieren in the south. After arriving of King Willem I digging of the northern part started in 1825. Plans for the southern part between Apeldoorn and Dieren (river IJssel) came into execution and digging began. Ten years later the canal was officially opened. In 1972 the canal was closed for shipping traffic; nowadays you only may see a canoe, rowing boat or pedal boat in the canal. More information about the Apeldoorns Kanaal (Dutch)l: www.apeldoornskanaal.com

Kersendijkje: foot/bike path from 'Castle De Cannenburch' to the water mill 'Cannenburghermolen'.

Beekbergerwoud: a 'new' nature reserve, restored on the location of the last Dutch primeval forest, which was cut down in 1871.