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[2604] A tree at Ta Prohm

Ta Prohm is one of the temple ruins in Siem Reap, Cambodia, which have been reclaimed by nature. Trees grow everywhere, within the compound of the ruins, and on the temple itself.

Some rights reserved. Creative Commons 3.0. Hafiz Noor Shams

Complete restoration of the ruins—meaning removal of the trees—is not possible without damaging the temple. The roots have grown intricately through the temple walls and killing the tree will mean damaging the ruins. From a pest, the trees have formed a symbiotic relationship with the ruins. The trees are now supporting the temple together, for now.

There is a philosophical debate here: preservation versus restoration: leave it be, or “restore” the ruins to its original glory. Here, the preservation camp sort of won and the trees remain.