A STORY OF REBIRTH AND TRANSFORMATION.
For about 220 years, this centuries-old tree had been a silent witness to events and changes, even surviving the fury of two Wars and the Earthquake.
On August 30, 2020, during a storm of exceptional violence, over 120 trees in the municipality of Udine were felled. Among these, one of the most majestic plane trees in the garden of Piazza Primo Maggio, to the east of the hill on which the Castle stands, also gave way. For about 220 years, this centuries-old tree had been a silent witness to events and changes, surviving even the fury of two Wars and the Friuli Earthquake of 1976. Offering shade to generations of citizens, it had become part of the urban landscape and the life of the square.
PIAZZA PRIMO MAGGIO: AN IMPORTANT AND HISTORIC SQUARE FOR THE CITY.
Piazza Primo Maggio, also known as Giardin Grande, has a rich and varied history. At the end of the 13th century, the area was named “Zardinum Domini Patriarchae” and remained patriarchal property until the arrival of the Venetians; its collective use for public fairs is attested in 1486. Over the centuries, it has been used for markets, fairs, military exercises, and cultural events. In 1808, it was transformed into an elegant public garden, maintaining its elliptical shape and becoming the main meeting place of the city. The task was entrusted to engineer Antonio Lerner, who designed the elliptical structure with eight radial promenades converging towards the square with the octagonal tree-lined flowerbed. The historic ‘pond’ was transformed into a circular water basin surrounded by “a grove with whimsically arranged walkways”. On this occasion, “the old trees were uprooted and new plants were planted”. Today, after a renovation in the 21st century, the square continues to be a meeting and celebration point for the community of Udine and its surroundings.
AFTER THE FALL, THE PLANE TREE IS REBORN INTO A NEW LIFE.
The analyses conducted by the Regional Phytosanitary Service of ERSA confirmed that the large plane tree had a diseased root system, while the trunk was in good condition. Dr. Andrea Maroè, the official in charge of Monumental Trees for the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, as well as the scientific director and president of GTF (Giant Trees Foundation Onlus, a foundation established to understand, defend, and protect large trees – with which Tabula has been collaborating for years), stated that the wood of the fallen plane tree was workable. The opportunity to reuse the wood of that centuries-old tree, thus avoiding its disposal through combustion, was seen as an initial victory for environmental sustainability. Thanks to Tabula, the Plane Tree of Primo Maggio Square is given new life. It will be transformed into magnificent tables and unique design objects.
THE RECOVERY PHASES.
On October 29, 2020, the recovery operations of the magnificent natural giant began. The plane tree was then sawn into three parts directly at the recovery site. The trunk, approximately 6 meters in length, the ‘head bifurcation’, and the two largest branches were transported to a specialized sawmill for cutting into boards. Several unique boards were obtained from the cutting – including some truly remarkable ones with widths up to 180 cm – to create splendid tables and different tops for making original coffee tables. After seasoning, completed in spring 2023, the boards underwent a vacuum oven drying process to reach the right moisture content and to eliminate any parasites. Finally, the rough boards arrived at our laboratory in Campoformido in the summer of 2023. Here, skilled hands worked on one, making it even more unique and special. Slow and careful step by step, in December 2023, the first table made from that trunk was delivered.
FROM THE FALL OF A TREE TO THE SAFETY OF OVER A HUNDRED.
On October 29, 2020, the recovery operations of the magnificent natural giant began.
The Plane Tree of Piazza Primo Maggio in Udine, which, despite its age and size, was not originally considered one of the monumental trees, had damaged roots.
Its fall could have been a symbol of human neglect towards nature or the sacrifice of trees and greenery in the city. Instead, it sparked new reflections on resilience and actions for the conservation, respect, and care of our green heritage. In the face of the collapse of that tree, the Region – in agreement with the Municipality, together with the Giant Trees Foundation and in consultation with the Superintendence – has, in fact, included the trees of the ellipse of Giardin Grande among the monumental trees, and therefore has decided to catalog, defend, and enhance them for their landscape and historical importance, recognizing that the ellipse of Piazza Primo Maggio constitutes one of the last examples in Italy of a cattle market square.
