Kaiserlinde
Linden trees bear the name Kaiserlinde , which were planted earlier for outstanding events in connection with the emperor or for nationally significant dates.
history
At the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, the empire and the veneration of the emperors experienced a late heyday, both in the German Empire and in Austria . Correspondingly, related or national holidays were celebrated with great patriotic pathos.
Often imperial linden trees were planted next to occasion-specific memorial stones or clay tablets with dedications or glass bottles with inlaid dedications were buried. Planting such linden trees was particularly popular in rural areas - for the simple reason that one could not afford elaborate memorial stones or the dedication of new, large buildings like in the big cities. In many places today only the names of streets (An der Kaiserlinde) or restaurants (restaurant "Zur Kaiserlinde") remind of these memorial trees, a little more curiously the Kaiserlinde Waldstadion with the Elversberger Kaiserlinde , the 07 Elversberg sports association .
Thanks to their advanced age, the still standing imperial linden trees are mostly characteristic of the townscape or landscape and are in many places under nature protection .
Germany
Very popular planting dates for imperial linden trees were
- the memory of the anniversary of the birth or death of Kaiser Wilhelm I (* March 22, 1797; † March 9, 1888),
- Memory of the enthronement of Emperor Frederick III. on March 10, 1888,
and especially the year 1913 ...
- June 16: the 25th anniversary of Kaiser Wilhelm II's reign (his birthday fell in January and was therefore unsuitable.)
- October 19: 100th anniversary of the victory over Napoleon in the Battle of Nations near Leipzig
In many districts, the planting campaigns took place in 1913 under the coordination of the district offices , which also bought the trees. In the Prussian homeland , this bond and the corresponding honors were naturally more pronounced than in other parts of the country, which is why Kaiserlinden trees can still be found there today.
Austria
Popular occasions were August 18, 1898, the 50th anniversary of the reign of Emperor Franz Josef I of Austria and King of Hungary , as well as his 60th anniversary in 1908. Further trees were moved in 1900, 1905 and 1910 on his big birthdays.
Symbolism of the linden tree
Due to their growth with the widely spreading branches and the large leaves they donated shade on hot summer days, in bad weather they kept rain away to some extent. The Dorflinde made in many areas since long ago the center of settlements, in earlier times were among them Assizes held (Gerichtslinde) , legendary in many places and the dance under the linden tree . In short: Linden trees were the communicative meeting point in the village. However, there are also imperial empires .
A tree as an honor
... there are in many Protestant communities in the form of a Luther linden tree in memory of the reformer Martin Luther , and Goethelinden or Schiller linden trees can also be found in many places.
As honor trees for military commemorations, oaks were usually planted as a symbol of Germanism . B. Moltkeeichen or Blüchereichen .
Friedenslinden are very widespread in Germany ; the majority of them were planted after the end of the Franco-Prussian War of 1870/71 or after the Peace of Westphalia in 1648 (such as the Friedenslinde in Bielefeld ).
The Wilhelmslinde in Dillenburg has nothing to do with the German emperors : Wilhelm I of Nassau-Dillenburg is said to have received a Dutch ambassador under her on April 14, 1568 , who asked him to take the lead in the Dutch war of independence against Spain . He is considered the progenitor of the Dutch royal family.
botany
A variety of the Dutch lime tree (Tilia vulgaris) , the Tilia intermedia (europaea) Pallida, is also known as the imperial linden tree , and there is also a variety known as the Moltke linden tree .
