The "Canal du Midi" in autumn

Almost immediately, 45 thousand planes were planted with several clearly defined objectives. The most important of which was to limit the evaporation of water, particularly during the summer, which can be hot in the southern region of France. Then came the concern of shading the paths for towing and the navigational routes all along the canal in order to allow the bargemen and the tow horses to travel in better conditions. Besides this, the tree roots reinforced the banks of the canal. Finally in autumn, the leaves would form a layer at the bottom of the canal and reduce the risks of water infiltration into the soil. Now, these trees are the simple pleasure of tourists who meander along the banks on barges or bicycles.