Enzo Enea, one of the world’s leading landscape architects, has dedicated his life to preserving and celebrating the natural world. His passion for trees, landscape architecture, and sustainability is not just about aesthetics, it is a mission rooted in his childhood experiences and a lifelong understanding of nature’s cycles. Through the Enea Tree Museum and various global initiatives, Enea seeks to highlight the essential role of trees in combating climate change, restoring ecological balance, and elevating human well-being. Enea’s work serves as a bridge between nature and architecture, integrating sustainability into modern landscapes while preserving the wisdom of nature and its history.

The Awakening: A Childhood Memory That Shaped a Life’s Mission

For Enzo Enea, his journey began with a single bite of a peach. As a child growing up in Italy’s Emilia Romagna, his grandfather introduced him to the value of patience, cultivation, and nature’s gifts. Enea recalls:

“The flavor of this peach was my awakening. The juice quenched a thirst that went beyond physical needs. In that moment, I saw trees in a new way—they give us life, they nourish us, they sustain our world. That realization shaped me and continues to drive my work today.”

This transformative moment led Enea to devote his career to landscape architecture, advocating for the harmonious coexistence of humans and nature. His work is a call to action: to see trees not just as decorative elements, but as vital components of our ecosystem.

The Enea Tree Museum: A Sanctuary for Rescued Trees

The Enea Tree Museum, located in Rapperswil-Jona, Switzerland, is a tribute to Enea’s belief that trees deserve to be seen, understood, and preserved. The museum, established in 2010 on 18.5 acres of formerly marshy land, is not just an exhibition of trees, it is an immersive experience that invites visitors to reflect on nature’s intrinsic value.

The journey to acquiring this land was unconventional. The monastery Mariazell owned the property, and Enea had to present his vision directly to the nuns, who had never considered leasing the land for such a purpose. Their shared love of gardens and the understanding that trees needed a sanctuary led to a groundbreaking 99-year lease.

However, the land presented a challenge: its marshy terrain was unsuitable for planting. Enea turned to nature for a solution, planting 38 swamp cypresses (Taxodium distichum), each capable of extracting up to 800 liters of water per day. Not only did this make the land arable, but it also created a self-sustaining microclimate, an example of passive cooling through nature’s design.

Enea explains:

“Nature has already given us the solutions—we just need to listen. Trees not only absorb CO2 and provide oxygen, but they also cool their surroundings, prevent erosion, and offer biodiversity. Every tree we save is an investment in our future.”

Rescuing and Relocating Trees: Sustainability in Action

For over 25 years, Enea has made it his mission to rescue trees from construction sites and urban developments, giving them new life in the museum and other landscape projects. Among these trees are century-old Japanese maples, ironwood trees, and horse chestnuts that would have otherwise been cut down.

One particularly remarkable rescue was a 120-year-old Japanese maple from Zurich’s Congress House. This tree had silently witnessed concerts and historical events but faced removal due to renovations. Recognizing its significance, Enea orchestrated a complex operation to transplant it to the museum, where it continues to thrive today.

“Each tree has a story, a history, and a role in our ecosystem. By saving them, we preserve not just their beauty, but their ability to heal our planet.”

The Dialogue Between Trees and Art

The Tree Museum is not just about trees, it is a space where nature and art coexist. Enzo Enea is particularly interested in artworks and artists that engage with the topic of nature. Sculptures by internationally renowned artists are strategically placed among the trees, creating a dialogue between human creativity and natural resilience. This integration emphasizes Enea’s belief that landscape architecture is both an art form and a form of environmental stewardship.

One of the museum’s most striking features is the limestone walls, constructed from discarded sandstone blocks from Veronese quarries. These walls serve as a backdrop, allowing visitors to truly see the trees—giving them a presence that is often overlooked in urban landscapes.

“Trees have a voice, but we rarely listen. By placing them against these walls, I want to make them visible, to make people stop and appreciate their presence.”

Climate Change and the Need for Resilient Landscapes

As climate change accelerates, the role of trees in mitigating environmental damage becomes even more crucial. Rising temperatures, urban heat islands, and biodiversity loss all point to an urgent need for sustainable solutions.

Enea’s approach focuses on climate-resilient trees, selecting species that can withstand extreme temperatures, absorb CO2 efficiently, and provide natural cooling. His project ‘Climate Nomads’, showcased at Art Basel, illustrates the necessity of replacing vulnerable tree species with those that can adapt to changing climates.

“Never would I have thought that in my lifetime, I would have to replace native trees with more resilient species. But we must adapt, just as nature does. The solutions exist—we just need to act.”

The Future of Sustainable Landscape Architecture

Enea’s work is a blueprint for future cities. From integrating trees into urban developments to designing passive cooling systems through landscaping, which all are contributing to a balanced microclimate, his projects demonstrate that sustainability and beauty are not mutually exclusive.

His gardens, parks, and terraces across the world follow the principle of local adaptation, using native plants that support biodiversity while requiring minimal maintenance.

Looking ahead, Enea advocates for more green spaces in urban environments, emphasizing their role in improving air quality, reducing energy costs, and enhancing mental well-being. His philosophy is simple yet profound:

“If you cut trees, you cut time. Caring for trees is an investment in our collective future.”

What Can We Do?

Enea’s message is clear: everyone has a role to play in preserving nature. Whether through planting trees, supporting green initiatives, or simply taking the time to appreciate and understand nature, each action contributes to a larger movement toward sustainability.

“You don’t have to create a tree. Nature does that for you. Your job is to protect it, nurture it, and respect it.”

As urbanization continues and climate challenges intensify, Enzo Enea’s vision stands as an example to what is possible when humans and nature work in harmony. The Enea Tree Museum is a living legacy, a reminder that our relationship with nature defines our future.

A Call to Action

Enzo Enea’s journey, from his grandfather’s garden to a globally recognized landscape architect, reminds us of the profound lessons trees offer. They teach us patience, resilience, and interconnectedness. As we navigate an uncertain environmental future, his work serves as both an inspiration and a guide toward a more sustainable world.

The next time you pass a tree, take a moment to listen. As Enea reminds us, trees do talk—the question is, are we willing to listen?

Read the full article here: www.forbes.com/sites/neloliviawaga/