Scarcely ever a tree has been attached to the people of its place as the Magoulianian plane tree. Centuries worked to set it up so majestically. Its origins are lost in the depths of time, likewise its roots are lost in the depths of the earth where the underground water veins are weeping. Generations of people have cooled themselves off at the foot of the plane tree below the square. It is the crest of the village. The plane tree, the fountain and Magouliana are one and the same. It is accompanied by legends and traditions, poems, short stories, vignettes along with satires published for its sake. Everything in this place seems connected with the proud plane tree.
The meeting point is the plane tree of the village. This is where the expats were taking courage from and whenever time drew on to leave, they were giving a wish and a promise under its shade: To be well and meet again soon. And when the Fifteenth of August was coming up, the countrymen were gathered here again for the great local celebration along with clarinets and violins followed by dancing.
One of the most famous and thousand-singing folk songs of Arcadia is Kori Magoulianitissa. The beauty of the rosy-cheeked girls from Magouliana was well known. Here, we meet again the triptych: plane tree – fountain – Magouliana.
Good for Magouliana in the mid-stream situated
Girls going for water and coming back kissed by.
Daughter from Magouliana, why are you waving to us?
We’ re gonna have some fun this summer long.
Do you remember kissing you under the plane tree the fountain nearby?
and we further set the plane-tree leaves having look on us
The leaves have at present fallen and who’s gonna snitch on us
The plane tree will do and the fountain besides.
CHARACTERIZATION ACT OF THE CENTURIES-OLD PLANE TREE IN THE SQUARE OF MAGOULIANA VILLAGE AS A PRESERVED NATURAL MONUMENT
Ref. no: 32183/1723/13 Date: 21/5/2014
The Secretary-General of the decentralized Administration of Peloponnese, Western Greeceand the Ionian may classify the centuries-old plane tree in the square of Magouliana village ofthe Municipality of Gortynia of Regional Division of Arcadia as a Preserved Natural Monument. Any action or activity that may cause destruction, damage or alteration of the protected natural formation (plane tree) is prohibited according to the applicable provisions and the specific conditions of the present characterization decision.
A. Description of protected object
The plane tree belongs to the species “Platanus Orientalis”, is 6.4 mm in perimeter, 2.04 mmin diameter and 20 mm in height. The projection of its crown is covering the square surface,the adjacent street and the paved surrounding area of the church and the municipal cafe-hotel,with a cumulative area of at least 450 sq.m and is further designated as the surrounding treeprotection zone. Its root system is being developing behind the fountain below the square. The trunk of almost 2.5 mm in height, is giving rise to six branches of 45-55 cm in diameter whereas some knobs – protuberances are observed at the bottom.
B. Main management processes of the preserved natural monument
1. The preservation of the centuries-old tree and its protection from interventions on the trunk,the root system and the crown as well as from interventions in the hydrological condition andthe surrounding protection zone, which may result in deterioration or endanger the monumentstatus but also its enhancement and improvement of its living conditions.
2. Its development for the recreation of locals and visitors by making completely advantage of the shaded area and not by any other way or means of recreation that may damage the tree and the surrounding protection zone.
3. The Monument should be a reference point for educational and environmental activities
C. Measures, conditions, restrictions for the preservation and protection of the monument.
1. It is forbidden the display of advertising boards, cables and other objects on the tree trunk and branches.
2. Parking of vehicles is not allowed in the surrounding protection zone of the plane tree.
3. Climbing the trunk and branches is not allowed.
4. No municipal or development work or deep excavation is allowed without the approval ofthe competent service.
