In the nineteenth century, Marshal Lyautey, one of Napoleon…

In the nineteenth century, Marshal Lyautey, one of Napoleon III's generals, was reported to have the most beautiful garden in France. Standing with his head gardener, looking out over his estate, he observed the wonderful specimens of the world's great trees planted there. Lyautey then turned to the gardener and said, "I see no copper beech tree." His gardener replied, "But, mon général, such a tree takes 150 years to grow." Lyautey, without a second's hesitation, said, "Then we must plant today we have no time to waste."

— from Time

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