Once the trees start to turn green it seems to happen while you watch. I love this. Because of our trip to Spain in April I missed the change from bare to green. This is what the trees looked like before we left.
tiglio trees on the road to Fornoli about to turn green
Le Torre in the distance
soon we won't be able to see it from here
new leaves
The new leaves were just beginning to appear. This is what the trees looked like about 2 weeks later.
Le Torre through the trees
The tiglio trees were pruned about 2 years ago so they may not form a complete tunnel this year, but by next year they should come together.
almost a tunnel
I walked from Ponte a Serraglio to Fornoli, crossed the iron bridge and walked back on the other side.
looking back towards Ponte a Serraglio from the bridge
a gorgeous spring day in Bagni di Lucca
looking down river from the bridge
On our side of the river the trees haven’t been pruned recently and you can see the difference.
the tiglio tunnel on our side of the river
I love the colour of the newly green leaves
In the grounds of the Villa Fiori an azalea bush that is completely neglected suddenly bursts into bloom.
azaleas at Villa Fiori
the neglected azaleas
they look remarkably healthy
azaleas with bee
While I am on the subject of azaleas I have to show you the huge azalea bush at Borgo a Mozzano. This nearby village holds an azalea festival every April. For the last couple of years the bush has not produced flowers in time for the festival. Better late than never.
Borgo's azalea
To give you an idea of the size of this azalea, the next photo has my car parked beside it.
the azalea and the car
the “tiglio tunnel” as you call it is so beautiful. I love the way they line roads with trees here and in France. It’s so beautiful.
By: The Daily Cure on May 12, 2011
at 4:53 am
I love arriving in the vilage through the tunnel. It is so dark and mysterious.
By: bagnidilucca on May 12, 2011
at 8:07 pm
Thank you for springtime in Italy, your photos brought back many memories.
By: Gian Banchero on May 12, 2011
at 4:55 am
It is a constantly changing delight every day watching it all unfold.
By: bagnidilucca on May 12, 2011
at 8:08 pm
As you said, Debra, it all happened in a few days and the area is looking gorgeous.
By: Mulino Dominillo on May 12, 2011
at 4:59 am
I love every season here, but especially spring.
By: bagnidilucca on May 12, 2011
at 8:09 pm
These trees are huge – very impressive.
By: bagnidilucca on May 12, 2011
at 8:11 pm
It is so beautiful! Thanks so much for sharing. My husband is going at the end of this month to look around and meet up with Jenny from Villatua. She has been great!
By: Rene on May 12, 2011
at 5:02 am
I’m glad Jenny has been helpful. I hope you find what you are looking for.
By: bagnidilucca on May 12, 2011
at 8:09 pm
Love the azaleas, they seem to like the climate in Europe where it is drier in summer more than the tropics, I cannot work it out, they must just be hardy.
By: Roz on May 12, 2011
at 6:29 am
They grow like mad here. the conditions must be just right.
By: bagnidilucca on May 12, 2011
at 8:10 pm
the tunnel trees are amazing…i love walking through it, lovely. and the pink flowers gorgeous.
By: Fragolina on May 12, 2011
at 6:41 am
Gosh I didn’t realise azalea bushes grew so big, I do love azaleas. Here in Scotland we have lots of rodendrums, (they grow wild), which are the size of the azalea bush and bigger. They also are a beautiful sight when in bloom.
By: Paula on May 12, 2011
at 8:40 am
I have never seen such a big azalea. I love the flowers.
By: bagnidilucca on May 12, 2011
at 8:13 pm
Deb ,
The growth is fantastic, Beautiful absolutely Beautiful.
Keep up the good work.
Regards,
Russ
By: Russell on May 12, 2011
at 9:18 am
Thanks Russell, see you soon.
By: bagnidilucca on May 12, 2011
at 8:13 pm
Can’t wait to arrive and blog about all these beauties too 🙂
Beautiful pictures, as usual Debra!!
Warm hug!
Rose
By: Rosaly Palma Torvnes on May 12, 2011
at 12:34 pm
I look forward to reading your Bagni di Lucca blog.
By: bagnidilucca on May 12, 2011
at 8:13 pm
Love the growing greeness!
By: maru on May 12, 2011
at 1:42 pm
It is a very special time of the year.
By: bagnidilucca on May 12, 2011
at 8:14 pm
I love the picture of the Tiglio tree tunnel, – for me there is something so special about the quality of green that happens in that climate. I remember loving the sticky spring buds along my dawdling way to school in England. That azalea is a beauty but almost the same thing happens here with bouganvillia bushes you see scrambling over neglected buildings out west – they look blooming fantastic. They obviously like it lean and mean.
By: Jan on May 13, 2011
at 1:16 am
I believe that bagnidilucca is more beautiful than in the pictures, 🙂 I love spring, not so hot and not so cold…
By: Prima on May 14, 2011
at 6:50 am
I love to walk up the hill in front of our house to look down on the village. It is always beautiful.
By: bagnidilucca on May 14, 2011
at 7:13 pm
Love that tree tunnel! There’s one close to where I live, but the trees are beginning to lose their leaves now.
By: lisa@notesfromafrica on May 15, 2011
at 3:32 pm
Here it has just begun.
By: bagnidilucca on May 15, 2011
at 9:04 pm
Love this post! It has stunned me – coming from Australia, there wasn’t much difference seasonally. Yes, there were more flowers in spring, but most trees don’t lose their leaves in winter. I have watched a transformation like the one in your photos over the past couple of months and it blew me away! You’ve captured it brilliantly.
By: David on May 16, 2011
at 10:37 am
Thank you. I love being here in spring and watch it transform before my eyes.
By: bagnidilucca on May 16, 2011
at 12:49 pm
[…] here to see Bagni di Lucca in beautiful […]
By: Season change in Bagni di Lucca « Bagni di Lucca and Beyond on October 31, 2011
at 5:16 pm