It Takes Strong Roots to Make a Tree Flower and Bear Fruit

The consideration of natural and cultural heritage in presentday German Landscape Architecture

Abstract

Landscape Architects, with their particularly close links to the natural sciences, are well aware of the needs of natural organisms, especially of those of all varieties of plants. Only if a tree has strong roots and a sturdy trunk can we expect it to show healthy growth, to come into flower, and eventually to bear fruit, thus guaranteeing the existence of the species, and starting over again that age-old and ageless cycle of rejuvenation.
This truth also applies to other “organisms”, to all forms of organisations, and also to our own profession, to Landscape Architecture.
Only if we are aware of our own professional heritage, can we, with validity, assert our present standpoint, and make a conscientious decision on our future direction.
In Germany, the last few years have brought an intense discussion in the society at large over the conflict between economy and ecology.
Within the profession, a similar discussion is taking place over the question of whether there is an insurmountable conflict between traditional ‘garden art’ and the ecological needs of a heavily industrialized nation, with all it's environmental problems.
A truly up-to-date form of garden and landscape design and planning can only be achieved, if we succeed in taking our knowledge about the endangered natural environment and transforming it into an artistic form of expression.