Botany
Fagaceae
A majestic tree, described in 1532 but already known in Roman times, up to 25 meters tall, with brown bark, young gray-pubescent branches, lanceolate or elliptical leaves with entire or toothed edges, white-tomentose on the underside, dark and shiny on their upper part.
Flowers gathered in male catkins that are 4-6 cm long, and ovate acorns with elongated tips that are half covered by the hemispherical dome.
Holm oak grows in arid forests and is found in scrubs up to 600 meters throughout the Mediterranean. It prefers hot and dry places, but also it is resistant to salty winds and, for this reason, is used to set up wind barriers on the coasts. Due to its robustness and resistance to pollution, it is planted as an ornamental species in parks, avenues and gardens. Its wood, hard and compact, is used in the furniture industry or for fuel, while the acorns are used for pig feeding.
History
The Tree at Castelgandolfo
It is one of the most common trees, often gathering many large and ancient specimens to form impressive avenues near Villa Barberini, Villa Cybo, and in the park above the Italian Gardens. In the street coming from below and leading to the gardens, the holm oaks form a spectacular gallery.
However, throughout the estate the most important feature is the presence of monumental specimens, very ancient (hundreds of years) and beautiful because of the shapes they have taken over the years. Furthermore, in the avenue in front of the English Park, we find the oldest specimens, and one in particular near the Pavilion of Rest is certainly the “patriarch” of Castel Gandolfo. It is (now) more than 20 meters high, with a circumference of 130 cm, 4.45 meter high from the ground, completely dug inside, but its vigorous butts show forth its persistent vitality.
This tree was also struck by lightning that barely scratched its strength, increasing instead the charm of this great witness to the history of the Gardens.
Pausing to look at the bark of this “wise” tree, you may guess the struggles, diseases, the endless seasons endured by this great tree, a living monument of nature’s resilience.
Over time it has been “helped” by a cement support on one side and an iron trellis on the other. By looking at it, you get the impression of detecting the time that has already passed under its branches, certainly 200 or more years of life.
General symbolism
The holm oak combines the powerful properties of oaks with those typical in evergreen trees (it is the only evergreen oak). It does not defoliate with changing seasons and is therefore a symbol of immortality, eternal life, and divine power.
In the Old Testament, it is considered a symbol of triumphant virtue. Abraham dwells at the Oaks in Mamre (Gen 18:1-19), and under the oaks he meets three persons (the Trinity) who predict the birth of Isaac from his wife Sarah and the beginning of God’s history with the chosen people.
Many holm oaks are also linked to St. Francis’ figure. Near Piancastagnaio, in the province of Siena, there is the Holm oak of the Ripe, under which in 1221 St. Francis seemingly rested and found shelter. Afterwards, under the same tree a wooden Crucifix was placed that had been brought from a Hermitage to a convent, but had miraculously returned there. A young woodcutter, attracted by the timber of the tree, wanted to cut it down; but the ax was torn from his hands and seriously injured the woodcutter himself.
Other holm oaks are also linked to Francis’ figure. At Montevarchi, in the Capuchin convent, there is a centuries-old holm oak (it could be from the 1200-1500) that apparently sprang up from a stick St. Francis had inserted into the ground. Near the Church of Alberino, in Siena, there is still the third sucker of the holm oak that sprouted from a stick St. Francis had planted.
Then, it is no coincidence that on 4 October 2019, on St. Francis’ feast day, Pope Francis and two indigenous representatives planted a holm oak coming from Assisi in the Vatican Gardens, right before the Synod of the Amazon.
Medicinal importance
The holm oak, like other oaks, because it is rich in tannins has always been used as an anti-fever and anti-hemorrhagic remedy, and also for its astringent, antiseptic (disinfectant), vasoconstrictive, antiviral and analgesic qualities.
Its buds are used to regulate gastrointestinal functions, and also as a tonic and stimulant in the stages of convalescence.
The Tree in the Pope mission
Silently, the great tree, with the strength of a creature enduring times and seasons, witnesses to the greatness of the Lord’s gifts, His immense love that gives us strength and balance in sustaining the adversities of life. But all this is left to the sensitivity of each of us who must remain silent in our hearts and approach the tree with humility, opening ourselves to what the tree itself conveys to us, with strength and yet with respect. Therefore, the tree can be a symbol of the witness of Christians and of the whole Church, primarily with works (… but one will rather say, “You have faith, and I have works; show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works” James 1:18).
Another great symbolism can also be found in the symbolic archetype of the holm oak, which has always been a sign of strength in the ancient Nordic cultures ( … tu es Petrus, et super hanc petram aedificabo ecclesiam meam, et portae inferi non praevalebunt adversus eam “you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:18). Christ’s message is clear and refers to a superior force of the Church that is not limited to human strategy or strength, but finds its roots in the power of the Spirit who will never abandon the Church. Dark times may have been experienced, such as wounds, cavities stemming from diseases and burns inflicted by lightning. Nevertheless, the deep roots will always allow us to prevail against darkness and evil. Even the fact of being evergreen, somehow immune to the passing of adverse seasons (autumn and winter), enhances the concept of eternity of a construction willed directly by God.