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Giving Home To The Endangered ‘Sorbus Domestica’ (True Service Tree)

Dear Envirocare Coordinators, Go Green Champions, and Eco Explorers,

This month, we pay tribute to the perfection of our trees. Nature and its many wonders merit our awe and adoration. Every plant and flower in this Divine creation possesses beauty and the innate ability to bring goodness to other parts of creation. Many plants have health-promoting ingredients that nourish our foods and provide natural remedies against a variety of ailments. 

One plant with boundless benefits is the True Service Tree (scientific name: Sorbus domestica L.).1 This tree enables its progeny to spread far for the survival of humankind: Trees are key to the health of most ecosystems in the world and ensure that balance is maintained and biodiversity can thrive. Drawing lessons from this tree, during this time of global environmental uncertainty and war in Europe, it is important that we unite and sanctify our actions.

Putting On A Garb Of Green On Kannenfeldpark

The Sri Sathya Sai International Organization of Switzerland, Zone 6, gathered for a special tree-planting ceremony on April 7, 2022 in one of the city parks – the Kannenfeldpark. This idyllic spot in the city of Basel is home to the 2m tall True Service Tree. The volunteers from the Sri Sathya Sai Centre of Basel have planted this rare and particularly robust tree in their town as a special gift to the city of Basel and its surrounding communities. At the ceremony, the National EnviroCare Coordinator of Switzerland read beautiful poems, one was his own composition and another was by the pre-eminent poet, Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe. We pray the tree attracts the love and adoration of all devotees in its new home. Its canopy has started to spread wide with its far-extending branches; its roots probably stretch even further.

 

 Ode to the Tree

   You trees
   I have often heard you speak.
   Whoever listens to you speaks
   about your shape and height,
   about your colors and leaves.

   You are giants
   from our point of view,
   each one of you is unique,
   You have a character
   that resembles that of a human being.
   Thus you present yourselves
   fine or gnarled, brave or sickly,
   but always full of dignity.

   Each one tells its own story.
   Some tell of times long past,
   others behave youthfully – wildly.
   Some let their leaves grow thoughtfully,  
   others sprout blossoms and leaves
   in no time at all.

   You shape nature
   and tell the story of the earth.
   As individuals you are decoration
   or guardians at the entrance,
   but gathered together
   you are called a forest.
   Patiently you give fruit and shade,
   as well as wood and a warming fire.

   As trees, you are relatives
   of human beings.
   Goethe called you chaps.
   Humans and trees
   are based on the earth,
   a slender trunk spirals upwards,
   past many arms
   and the crown greets us with a smile
   just as parents look down
   on their children.

   As a tree you know
   the ups and downs of life,
   the whipping storm,
   the warming sun and
   the life-giving rain.

   As a tree, you can’t be missed,
   sending out a welcome at once.
   “Here I am” you call out to us.
   With you around, I am never alone.
   You’re just a chap,
   offering your friendship
   for ever and ever.

   You will probably outlive me.

—Spiridon Zalad

   

During the tree planting, the members sang songs and spread vibhuti on its roots and soil, to testify to the glories of the Lord.

A sign with the name of the tree was prepared in beautiful calligraphy by the NCP of Switzerland.

Particularities and Ecology of The True Service Tree

Professionals in urban gardening supported the SSSIO members during the planting of the tree, explaining its uniqueness. Our Swiss friends call this Sorbus domestica the “speierling”. It is a deciduous tree that can grow up to 24m tall. In 2012, it was listed as a threatened species in the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources’ Red List of Threatened Species,1 and is subject to several conservation and breeding programs. There are estimates of a global population of at least 17,500 trees, but it is still  regarded as a rare species in many countries (Germany, Switzerland etc.).1

Photo credit: Permaculture Eden

The tree flourishes in a range of habitats and in a wide range of soil types, such as woodlands, open heathlands, mountain ledges and more.1 It often colonizes new land, growing in wastelands and disturbed areas to regenerate Nature. The tree adjusts remarkably to any new environment - but mostly in areas of higher rainfall - and is, therefore, known as a stress-tolerant competitor. The seeds are dispersed by birds and mammals (e.g. wild boar), but the establishment rate from seeds is low.1 The tree also frequently regenerates by root-suckers. It has a long life and often reaches 200 years of age, occasionally up to 400 or more.2

Usage and Threats

Across Europe, the Sorbus domestica species is very rare and its genetic diversity (the range of different inherited traits within a species) is threatened mainly by the disturbance of natural plant populations by human activities.2 It can be used for ornamental purposes, wood, and fruit production.

Photo credit: The Original Garden

The fruits can be eaten when bletted (over-ripe) and are used to produce marmalades, jams, jellies, juices and more.2,3 It is also used in traditional medicines for intestinal problems, dysentery, diabetes and memory improvement.2 The hard and heavy wood is of good quality2 and is often used for making rigid small objects.

“Members consider the planting in this time of war in Europe as a special symbol of interconnectedness. We feel that we are on the right side of life. Members of the Satya Sai Center were very happy.” – Participant of the Tree-Planting activity

Read more about the Unity, Purity and Divinity in the Trees Around Us HERE

VISIT the Environmental Sustainability Hub for more insights, go green tips and resources

WATCH an inspiring video on 'Realising God through Nature' by Ashok K. Sakhrani.

“The trees provide cool shade and sweet fruit equally to all, whether they have fostered them or harmed them. They teach man this lesson of equal-mindedness.”

– Sri Sathya Sai Baba, July 18, 1989


With Sai Love and Care,

Environmental Sustainability Committee 

Sri Sathya Sai International Organization


References

1 Wilson, B. 2018. Sorbus domestica. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T79921100A119836528. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-1.RLTS.T79921100A119836528.en
Copyright: © 2018 International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources 

2 Enescu, Cristian & de Rigo, Daniele & Durrant, Tracy & Caudullo, Giovanni. (2016). Sorbus domestica in Europe: distribution, habitat, usage and threats. 

3 Mrkonjić, Zorica & Nadjpal, Jelena & Beara, Ivana & Šibul, Filip & Lesjak, Marija & Mimica-Dukic, Neda. (2019). Fresh fruits and jam of Sorbus domestica L. and Sorbus intermedia (Ehrh.) Pers.: Phenolic profiles, antioxidant action and antimicrobial activity. Botanica Serbica. 43. 187-196. 10.2298/BOTSERB1902187M. 
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