After people voted between six beautiful old trees in Belgium, the Tree of the Year 2020 is the Four-Trunked Chestnut in Ypres
DE VIERSTAMMIGE KASTANJE: THE CHESTNUT WITH FOUR TRUNKS
The winner of the Belgian Tree of the Year 2020 competition represents West Flanders and is the survivor of two world wars. This imposing chestnut tree was planted in Ypres around 1860, when the military fortress in Ypres was transformed into a public park. Along with the rest of Ypres, the chestnut suffered heavily during the First World War. Yet amazingly the stump remained alive. From the stump, four new trunks spontaneously arose. The tree was allowed to remain in its place, where it now flanks the Menin Gate, which was inaugurated in 1927. The four side trunks were also spared during the Second World War, when Ypres residents were forced to cut down many trees for firewood. With a trunk of 9.1 metres in circumference, this chestnut tree perfectly symbolizes the survival of Ypres.

Ypres’ inhabitants are very proud
“The people of Ypres are particularly proud with the selection of our four-trunk chestnut as Tree of the Year,” says the alderman for Environment and Nature, Valentijn Despeghel (SP.A). “To be honest: I believed from the start that we had a chance. Not only because of the impressiveness of the chestnut, but also because of the symbolic power that the tree radiates. The four-trunk chestnut at the Menin Gate perfectly illustrates the steadfastness and endurance of Ypres. A living and particularly vital monument, which can live on for more than 100 years without any setbacks.”
Here are the other five candidates:
DE YMERIAPLATAAN: THE YMERIA PLANE
Located in Wijgmaal, Flemish Brabant, this plane tree is actually a combination of six different trees, all more than 200 years old, that have grown together. The original tree was planted next to a watermill. It provided much-needed shade to prevent the wheel of the mill from drying out. The mill has long since disappeared. But the Ymeria Plane remains. It nearly disappeared to make way for the Ymeria sports complex. But thankfully the tree was saved and the car park was built around it. Indeed, it received special treatment. The surrounding top soil was removed with a special technique, without damaging the roots. The new soil layer ensures an optimal air and water supply to the tree. And its crown was carefully pruned to prevent long branches from breaking off and damaging the trunk. Its circumference measures over 9 metres and before pruning, it rose at least 30 metres above ground.

DE ADVOCAAT VAN DEURLE: “THE LAWYER” LIME TREE OF DEURLE
For years, lime trees have been placed at the entrances to villages. Here, they deter visitors with bad intentions and purify evil spirits. Since 1767, the village of Deurle, in East Flanders, was guarded by two imposing lime trees, nicknamed The Lawyer and The Notary. Since then they have been immortalized in poems and paintings. Both survived a felling order in the 1950s; the route of a new road was changed at the last minute to accommodate them. The trees seemed ready to last for another 200 years. Alas, it was not to be. In the cruel winds of 1983 The Notary crashed to the ground; The Lawyer had lost its faithful companion. Now alone, The Lawyer continues to do its duty.

DE VELDMAARSCHALK: THE FIELD MARSHAL’S SWEET CHESTNUT
Over to Limburg now, where to the right of the entrance to Pietersheim Castle, a solitary sweet chestnut marks the memorial mound for fallen Spaniards in the 17th century. This is when the Spanish army was encamped in the castle grounds. Although no human remains have been found during archaeological excavations, bones of horses date back to the battles that took place in this region at that time. It seems that this beautiful tree was planted in the 18th century in memory of the second marriage of Field Marshal Jan Filip Eugène de Merode to Princess Charlotte of Nassau-Hadamar. With its beautiful trunk and impressive circumference of 4.8 metres, it’s one of the park’s veteran trees.

DE REUS VAN HET DIELEGEMBOS: THE GIANT BEECH OF THE DIELEGEM FOREST
In the Brussels-Capital Region, the forest of Dielegem used to belong to the Premonstratensian monks who inhabited the oldest monastery in Brussels. The subsoil of the Dielegem hill consists of layers of easily exploitable limestone, which provided the main source of income for the abbey. After the stone layers had been fully mined in the 18th century, the monks decided to make a profit from their land by planting trees. According to the assumed age of this giant beech tree, it was probably planted by the monks over 200 years ago. The monastery did not survive the French Revolution. The tree did. And still survives today.

KAPPELLEKENSBOOM: THE CHAPEL ACACIA
Dominating the centre of Heidehuizen in the province of Antwerp is this magnificent acacia. Its origin is a mystery. But what is well known is that it has always sheltered a little chapel. Both the tree and the chapel are revered by local residents. So much so that great efforts have gone to looking after both. Literally cutting-edge tree surgery has undoubtedly extended the acacia’s life. It’s now strutted and supported to ensure it continues to tower over the little chapel.

If this has inspired you to get out and enjoy a walk in a forest in Belgium, here are some suggestions:
- 10 Woodland Walks in Flanders
- The Forêt de Soignes near Brussels
- The Forêt du Pays de Chimay
- Three walks in the Molendaal Forest
- The golden forests of Outrelouxhe
If you have not yet subscribed to Discovering Belgium and would like to receive new posts on nature, walking and cycling in Belgium, just add your email below:
And if you’re into trees, why not visit Parul’s blog where she has a fortnightly #ThursdayTreeLove post that you can join in. She lists some marvellous trees over there!
I’m all for our trees Denzil Thank you for this.
Thanks Sue!
Hello Sir, could I have the address please. I want to visit the tree.
It’s right by the Menin Gate Raziv
They are all fascinating. And beautiful!
Thanks Joy, trees are a beauty to behold and a treasure to preserve.
Your blog has completely reframed my vision of Belgium Denzil…all the lovely green spaces …and now the trees too.
That’s good to know Clare. Of course, I don’t talk about the negatives, so I hope your reframed vision isn’t through rose-coloured spectacles, although I guess it probably is.
Since we lost most of our chestnut trees to blight here in the US, I’m partial to chestnut trees. This is a beautiful write-up and each of the trees is worthy of winning. My vote is going to have to be….. I love this post .
Such a shame when disease robs a country of specific trees. I still remember Dutch Elm Disease clearing out the elms in the UK a while back
I had no idea about the loss of the chestnut trees in the US until I read the novel “The Overstory” – all short stories about trees. Gorgeous book. …and yes, love chestnut trees too!
It was news to me too Iris.
Gorgeous, majestic and all worthy of the throne!! I believe as the Celtics do, that trees have souls and spirits. I did not know that about lime trees — good to know. Thank you Denzil. I look forward to exploring more of Belgium through your blog.
Thanks for your visit and comment, and I believe that we have a lot to learn from the Celts and the Druids.
What a fun and informative contest! I like De Reus the most. It’s a striking giant for sure. 🙂
Thanks Liesbet, yes it’s a gorgeous gentle giant for sure. Hope you are both doing OK over there.
Doing okay, all things considered. Thanks for asking. Would have loved to visit Belgium this summer as I haven’t seen my friends and family for two years now. 🙁
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How lovely that all these trees have such wonderful stories. I love that the communities have protected the trees in times of danger.
Yes I agree Carol
While all those trees are incredible, the story that goes with the four trunked winner is awesome! Thanks for sharing all this tree loveliness, Denzil!
Yes it’s an amazing story of life amidst so much death and destruction
These are amazing! We do plan to visit Belgium once this pandemic is over.. and I shall definitely try to ‘meet’ at least a few of these grand old trees! Thanks for sharing these wonders!
I hope you can visit Belgium sooner rather than later Archana.
These are all so so beautiful, Denzil. And all deserving to be the trees of the year and Belgium. I wasn’t aware of the rich flora of Belgium. If I ever get a chance to visit Belgium, I wouldn’t want to miss these trees. Thanks for sharing and joining Thursday Tree Love.
The next edition goes live on the 12th and I would love to see you around.
Take care!
Great, I will see what I can do Parul to support your excellent initiative.