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