The tree outside forests in coastal areas (western France): presentation of the object, management and heritage values
Trees on the seafront suffer the harsh living conditions that are associated with coastal climates and which impede their taking root or, at the very least, disrupt their growth. And yet, every coastline has its wooded landscape. For society, trees are part of the scenery, there to be appropriated and managed. A tree - that readily perceived geographical object - may stand alone or in a group, be dying away or conquering new ground ; it is sometimes valued, sometimes ill-appreciated. However, despite this high level of interest, very few studies have explored trees outside forests, particularly in coastal areas. To bridge that gap, an environmental geography approach is required. Areas of the western coast have been selected for their specific nature (uncultivated lands or semi-natural areas like heaths, dunes, wetlands). The methodology used includes the concepts of the systemic approach by integrating highly diversified data (ground observations, historical sources, investigative work). Results show that the significance of trees outside forest lies in their role in the creation and evolution of spaces. They are a source of value to which human society is not indifferent. Trees can be vectors of images, behaviour or conflict, where issues regarding landscape refer to territories and their spatial and temporal dynamics.