Methodology
The architectural heritage of traditional villages is increasingly valued, and the landscape there is also of great significance to the daily lives of villagers. In particular, old trees have a high symbolic and cultural value and are central to traditional village practices. They are rooted in village public spaces and events and are crucial to telling stories, local history and the collective memories of villagers.
This project will identify old trees in each village that have daily village cultural significance. They will be studied as lineages to analyze trends, patterns and relationships between different practices and rural stories. In the long term, the research aims to establish a comprehensive database and knowledge system on trees in Hong Kong's old villages and their relationship with everyday village culture.
Literature Review
- Conduct a comprehensive review of existing literature on traditional village landscapes and trees.
- Explore previous studies or documentation on the histories, practices, and stories associated with old trees in villages.
Mapping of Village Trees & Selection of Study Sites
- Mapping of village trees to identify villages that retain traditional characteristics and have a close relationship with their old tree(s).
- Establish the criteria for selecting the research sites, including factors for consideration such as landscape and cultural diversity, as well as the challenges faced by the village.
Field Survey & Data Collection
- Visit selected villages and conduct field surveys to identify and document the old trees.
- Record the location, species, size, and any cultural or historical significance associated with each tree.
Community Engagement
- Collect oral histories, stories, and local knowledge related to the trees from the villagers.
- Involve the local community in the research process by organizing interviews, and discussions to gather their perspectives and knowledge.
- Public Guided Tour held in July 2024
Data Analysis
- Analyze the collected data to identify the trends, patterns, relationships and interconnection between old trees and rural cultures in a village context, and how different landscapes foster different village cultures and their significance in everyday village life.
Database Development
- Create a comprehensive database to store all collected data, including history and stories of the village and trees, tree documentation, satellite photos, village spatial setting, photo gallery, 3D model, etc.