The NEWTREE Blog

Current Mood: Esctatic

Branch by Benoît from NEWTREE

Photo "En Thiérache" courtesy of Cécile Bolly

ENGLISH

While going through the Foret de Soignes on my way to the office this morning, I enjoyed looking at the amazing beauty of trees around me.  Forget your cars and instead, get your bikes out, or find back those walking shoes! The forest is where you can grasp the beauty of the day,  full of magnificent light and beautiful auburn color shades.

I also want to bring your attention to this month’s extraordinary article The Tallest Trees – Redwoods in National Geographic. Here you will find a complete story behind these magical trees, some of which are more than 1500 years old, wider than 5 meters in diameter, and taller than 120 meters! It’s incredible that nature can be so beautiful and full of resources! Take some time to read this article, or even better, experience these trees first-hand by going to the Red Woods State or National Park in California, USA.

I also invite you to look at the photo on top of this blog post, which displays a tree from our country side. Doesn’t it bring about the marvel of the present economic crisis? One trunk is torn down, lying dead on the ground, whereas another one, although not that much more alive, is still looking up to the sky. Will it fall or continue to grow? The future might hold some surprises!

All of this beauty has inspired me for the following idea. How about organizing a competition for the most beautiful photos of trees? Every month, we will invite you to send us photos of trees corresponding to the current month. Each time, we’ll select the most beautiful photo, offering you a great gift for sharing it with us! By the end of 2010, we’ll publish a NEWTREE 2011 calendar featuring the best photos of trees.

And now, get your cameras out, and enjoy making those snapshots!

FRANÇAIS

Epoustouflants de beauté les arbres que j’ai pu contempler ce matin en traversant la forêt de Soignes pour me rendre au bureau. Larguez vos voitures et prenez le temps de prendre votre vélo ou de chausser vos bottines, la forêt nous offre ces plus beaux jours, de magnifiques lumières et des couleurs orangées et brunes de toutes beautés.

Tout aussi extraordinaire, l’exceptionnel article du National Geographic de ce mois The Tallest Trees – REDWOODS. Nous pouvons découvrir l’histoire complète d’arbres majestueux de plus de 1.500 ans, de 5 mètres de diamètre et de plus de 120 mètres de haut. Incroyable comme la nature est belle et pleine de ressources ! A lire impérativement ou à aller découvrir sur place au sein des RedWoods (State or National) Park en Californie.

Dans un registre tout autant arboricole, je vous propose d’admirer la photo ci-jointe de nos campagnes. N’illustre-t-elle pas à merveille la crise économique actuelle ? Un tronc est arraché, mort et gît à terre, l’autre n‘est pas plus sain mais s’élève toujours vers le ciel. Va-t-il vaciller ou continuer sa croissance ? L’avenir nous réservera la surprise.

Toutes ses beautés m’inspirent une idée forte. Qui mieux que NEWTREE peut organiser un concours des plus belles photos d’arbres. Chaque mois, nous allons vous relancer pour que vous nous envoyé vos photos d’arbres illustrant le mois en cours. Nous élirons chaque mois la plus belle photo (qui sera récompensée d’un magnifique cadeau) et fin 2010 nous éditerons un calendrier NEWTREE 2011 de nos plus beaux arbres. Alors, à vos appareils photos et au plaisir d’admirer vos clichés.

Current Mood: Happy

New branch by David

Ever since NEWTREE began growing in the US, we have been often asked how we’ve become increasingly known there.

Although there may be several factors that have determined this, getting on Oprah Winfrey’s O List is surely the factor that must have helped us get our foot in the door!

Last year, in April 2008, to be more precise, millions of Americans learned about NEWTREE because it appeared on the O! list of Oprah Winfrey, a well-known, and probably the richest, American TV celebrity.  The O List is a regular feature of Oprah Magazine, a publication that reaches about 2 million Americans every month.

The story goes that Oprah Winfrey came across NEWTREE chocolate in a Las Vegas hotel, and decided to include it in her O list.

So, in reality, there isn’t any “recipe” for getting on the O list, except for being simply liked by Oprah herself!

Current Mood: Cool

New Branch by David from NEWTREE

David from NEWTREE has enjoyed a jazz concert in Brussels last night, and is happy to share his impressions with you. Below is his story in English and French.

ENGLISH

The jazz festival supported by Skoda has just begun in the center of Brussels. On this occasion, Brussels is hosting a range of

Source: www.maceoparker.com

artists who perform jazz, funk and soul. Last night I went to the concert by Maceo Parker. I hadn’t really known this funky jazz performer before, and wanted to let myself discover his talent. It was an exceptional evening during which I discovered a talented artist performing to a sizable audience. The concert of Maceo Parker, who has previously performed together with James Brown, George Clinton, Ray Charles and Prince, lasted longer than two and a half hours.

The audience was charmed by the talented performer, whose saxophone triggered the feelings of authenticity and quality, and made everyone enjoy the music in an atmosphere of total relaxation. It was truly a funky great night. Something to discover!

FRANÇAIS

Le festival de jazz « Skoda Jazz Festival » vient d’ouvrir ses portes au cœur de Bruxelles. A l’occasion de ce festival, Bruxelles accueille une série d’artistes aux styles de musiques de tout horizon comme le jazz, le funk, les musiques du monde et la soul. Hier soir avait lieu en grand première le concert de Maceo Parker. Ne connaissant pas vraiment cet artiste et le funky jazz, je me suis laissé tenter par l’envie de découverte. Ce fut une soirée exceptionnelle où j’ai découvert un artiste talentueux dans une salle comble. Ce grand artiste, qui a joué avec les plus grands, de James Brown à  Georges Clinton en passant par Ray Charles et Prince, a joué hier pendant plus de 2h20. Tout le public était sous le charme de l’artiste qui au travers de son saxophone a fait sortir des notes d’authenticité et de qualité, le tout dans une grande décontraction et naturalité.  C’était tout simplement « a funky great night »… A découvrir.