English: The mosaiculture piece The Man Who Planted Trees pays tribute to Frederic Back, who crafted a superb animated film version of Jean Giono’s fable of the same title.

The artwork conveys the positive impact man can have on his environment.

The Man Who Planted Trees was conceived as a bona fide mosaiculture garden stemming from the efforts of a single man, the shepherd Elzeard Bouffier. Through his ceaseless and patient toil, he was able to transform a desolate, and expanse of land into a fertile territory verdant with field and forest.

Elzeard Bouffier is depicted here planting a young oak, in a desert - evoked by the bed of stones - where his flock are grazing. Elzeard’s dog is intrigued by the visitors walking past.

The horses galloping in the prairie and the goat drinking from the well embody the return of life made possible by the action of this sole individual, said action represented here by his cape spread out across the entire site.