Mosaiculture – The man who planted trees

People can make a positive impact on the environment by their individual actions. This is the theme of the fable “The Man Who Planted Trees” by Jean Giona, and later turned into an animated film by Frédéric Back. The story is about a shepherd called Elzéard Bouffier who by his tireless and patient efforts, planted tree after tree after tree, and converted the barren terrain where he grazed his flock into a fertile green landscape of field and forest.

At the Jardins Botanique de Montreal, this tale is represented by an award winning tableau in the Mosaicultures Internationales de Montreal 2013. The figures are constructed in a larger than life format using living plants. The shepherd is shown planting a young oak tree in the desolate and arid area (the stones) where his flock of sheep are grazing. His dog looks with curiousity at the passers-by. The positive impact of the actions of this one man are represented by his cape that spreads across the site. The results of his patient activities are shown by the horses galloping through the prairies to one side and a goat drinking at a well to the rear of the scene. Truly spectacular.