I noticed this sign in several places around Paris. Thanks to the Google translate app I was able to decode "de sapins" to mean fir trees...aka Christmas trees...![]()
After visiting Sacré-Coeur, strolling along a cobblestone street, the smell of Christmas was thick in the air. It wasn't difficult to locate the source...
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The above photo is of the pathway through Jardin Frederic Dard, one of many small gardens tucked in neighborhoods all over Paris.
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So fresh! I assumed this must be part of the recycling encouraged by the signs I'd seen earlier.
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The next day I spotted this "tree corral" in another part of the city, outside what looked to be a large apartment building.![]()
Seeing so many trees finally pushed me to do a little internet research when I was back in our hotel room: "This recycling operation aims to promote green waste, the fir trees being transformed into crushed stone, subsequently used as mulching on the garden beds, and especially to encourage Parisians not to put their fir trees on public roads (or in the mountains). The abandonment of a tree is punishable by a fine of 150 €." (source, translated by Google)
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One hundred and fifty Euro!? Ouch. Still I spotted many an abandoned tree...
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(no, I don't think the sharply dressed fellow was responsible for this tree, just a coincidence he was passing by)
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From another site, also translated courtesy of Google: "The choice of the tree, the decorations to adorn it, the gifts we happily open at our feet ... the Christmas tree is at the party in our homes in December. But the day after Christmas, here it is unvarnished and "plucked" abandoned on the sidewalks. Eh yes! After shining a thousand lights, our firs still too often end their lives on public roads. Yet, a second life is possible for our fir trees. The fir mash, an ecological tool. The fir trees will be ground on the spot. No transport, it is also less pollution! The ground material obtained will be used by gardeners of the city as mulching, to protect the grounds and plantations of the gardens from the evaporation of water or cold. As fir mullion is particularly acidic, it is not suitable for use in compost; on the other hand, its anti-germinative properties are perfect for limiting the proliferation of wild grasses in an ecological way. It acts as a natural weed killer."
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"After shining a thousand lights, our firs still too often end their lives on public roads."What poetry! Although really "shining a thousand lights?" Aren't they taking this "city of light" thing a little too far?
Later we happened upon a tree collection point where shredding was underway.
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It's hard to make out, but there was a pile of trees and a guy wearing ear-protection feeding the trees into the shredder. You can see the stream of "green" being spit out by the shredder...
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Nearby was this freshly "fir mash" mulched bed.
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Don't worry, I'll be sharing pretty Paris pictures soon. I just had to share this interesting bit of ecological Paris that captured my attention!
Weather Diary, Jan 29: Hi 53, Low 46/ Precip .37"
All material © 2009-2018 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
After visiting Sacré-Coeur, strolling along a cobblestone street, the smell of Christmas was thick in the air. It wasn't difficult to locate the source...
The above photo is of the pathway through Jardin Frederic Dard, one of many small gardens tucked in neighborhoods all over Paris.
So fresh! I assumed this must be part of the recycling encouraged by the signs I'd seen earlier.
The next day I spotted this "tree corral" in another part of the city, outside what looked to be a large apartment building.
Seeing so many trees finally pushed me to do a little internet research when I was back in our hotel room: "This recycling operation aims to promote green waste, the fir trees being transformed into crushed stone, subsequently used as mulching on the garden beds, and especially to encourage Parisians not to put their fir trees on public roads (or in the mountains). The abandonment of a tree is punishable by a fine of 150 €." (source, translated by Google)
One hundred and fifty Euro!? Ouch. Still I spotted many an abandoned tree...
(no, I don't think the sharply dressed fellow was responsible for this tree, just a coincidence he was passing by)
From another site, also translated courtesy of Google: "The choice of the tree, the decorations to adorn it, the gifts we happily open at our feet ... the Christmas tree is at the party in our homes in December. But the day after Christmas, here it is unvarnished and "plucked" abandoned on the sidewalks. Eh yes! After shining a thousand lights, our firs still too often end their lives on public roads. Yet, a second life is possible for our fir trees. The fir mash, an ecological tool. The fir trees will be ground on the spot. No transport, it is also less pollution! The ground material obtained will be used by gardeners of the city as mulching, to protect the grounds and plantations of the gardens from the evaporation of water or cold. As fir mullion is particularly acidic, it is not suitable for use in compost; on the other hand, its anti-germinative properties are perfect for limiting the proliferation of wild grasses in an ecological way. It acts as a natural weed killer."
"After shining a thousand lights, our firs still too often end their lives on public roads."What poetry! Although really "shining a thousand lights?" Aren't they taking this "city of light" thing a little too far?
Later we happened upon a tree collection point where shredding was underway.
It's hard to make out, but there was a pile of trees and a guy wearing ear-protection feeding the trees into the shredder. You can see the stream of "green" being spit out by the shredder...
Nearby was this freshly "fir mash" mulched bed.
Don't worry, I'll be sharing pretty Paris pictures soon. I just had to share this interesting bit of ecological Paris that captured my attention!
Weather Diary, Jan 29: Hi 53, Low 46/ Precip .37"
All material © 2009-2018 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.