«My homeland is not the world, my homeland is not Europe, my homeland is made of an almond tree; the sweet, cool, unforgettable shadow. Canary Islandsone of the most famous poems of the Islands, by Nicholas Estevanez, quote a tree. That almond tree, which is believed to have been in a mansion on what is now Los Menceyes de La Laguna avenue – Casa Borges-Estévanez – where the poet, soldier and politician spent part of his childhood, no longer exists. But there are other trees in Tenerife that attract the attention of biologists due to their uniqueness.
The recent discovery on the island of the oldest tree in Europe -in the Teide National Parka 1,481-year-old cedar specimen– and the presence of two specimens from Tenerife in the Tree of the Year contest in Spain –the Millenary Drago and the Esrengad Pineo– reinforce the richness of these rarities of the island flora. In all the vegetal mass of Tenerife there are 292 declared singular trees but eight stand out above the rest, according to experts. These are:
1. Scorched Pine
In the heights of Arico, in the hamlet of El Bueno, “an isolated pine with a strange flag bearing survives, a straight-looking tree whose crown grows horizontally to the west.” This is how it is described Scorched Pine in the contest of the Tree of the Year of Spain 2022. “It reveals a huge woody arch that branches into a labyrinth of multiple shapes, some circular, to end up kissing the arid cream-colored soil,” adds the reference. This crawling tree represents a native species of the Islands, the Canary Island pine, unique because it resists fire. This characteristic specimen differs from the rest due to its strange shape, possibly created by its adaptation to the windy environment of the area. José Alberto Delgado, biologist responsible for the Biodiversity Unit of the Cabildo de Tenerife, believes that “it could also have been bent since they planted it.” It measures 10 meters and, in addition, it has a crown that grows horizontally towards the west. He was a contender for the 2022 Tree of the Year contest. He placed eighth out of eleven candidates, with 1,081 votes.
2. Millennium Dragon
The Millennium Dragonnext to the Plaza de San Marcos, in the municipality of Icod de los Vinos, It is the endemic specimen of dracaena drake most emblematic of the Canary Islands. Although its name suggests that it is more than a thousand years old, the age of this specimen is really unknown. The biologist José Alberto Delgado affirms that “although it may not seem like it, dragon trees are in danger of extinction.” The Drago Milenario is so admired that the main road was modified to protect it from traffic. In addition to being a tree of enormous beauty, it is one of the iconic images of Tenerife for tourists who visit it and very important for Icod’s economy. A park was created around it and the economy grew. It is a garden of endemisms where you can see small dragon trees, cardons and spurges. It has a height of 20 meters and a weight of 40 tons. The interior of its trunk is hollowed out. It has a large space that can be accessed through a door, where there is a thermometer and a hygrometer to control humidity. This also allows the aeration of the roots. The construction of a stone wall generated a strong controversy among the neighbors since it prevented its observation from the Plaza de San Marcos. It was finally removed. For their protection, a commission of experts was created. He was also a contender in the 2022 Tree of the Year contest. He placed third with 5,091 points.
3. Sweet Tabaiba from the Barrens
On a plot of land in Los Baldíos, in the municipality of La Laguna, there is a huge specimen of sweet tabaiba (balsam euphorbia), considered by experts as one of the most unique trees on the island. It has a height of 6 meters. According to biologist José Alberto Delgado, “growing in the right soil makes it have those dimensions.” It has some scars from cuts made in the past, since latex was extracted from these specimens in the past, but it survives. It belongs to a species native to North Africa and the specimen in question is tilted towards the south. It is presented leaning on a stone wall and a stalk. The Los Baldíos Neighborhood Association has requested the remodeling of the place where it is located to highlight its importance.
4. ‘Bárbol’, the oldest in Europe
At the end of January the extraordinary antiquity of a cedar was discovered (Juniperus cedrus) of the Teide National Park, hidden in a steep area, which has been given the name of treebeard by a movie character The Lord of the rings. It is considered the oldest tree in Europe. His age is estimated to be around 1,481 years.. Its discoverers have preferred not to reveal its location to avoid the action of novelists and vandals. A study by a group of researchers from the University Institute of Sustainable Forest Management of the University of Valladolid, the Rey Juan Carlos University and the Teide National Park, published in the scientific journal Ecology of the Ecological Society of America, made this discovery.
5. Agua García Centenary Vineyards
On Mount Agua García, within the municipality of Tacoronte, are the Viñátigos Centenarios, of the species persea indicates. They are located on the Path of the Centennial Guardians, as they are also called. During the route, you can see all the richness of the variety of species in the environment. Many laurels, heathers and foliage are appreciated. In the past, the latter were the substitute for toilet paper. And, above all, there are these specimens of viñátigos of great wealth. Two specimens stand out. The first is on the west side of the hillside. It stands out for its large size, with a trunk of enormous proportions and a height of 8 meters. In addition, it serves as a base for other plants. The second and even more imposing is located on the eastern slope. This vineyard is located next to some artificial caves. It has an approximate height of 10 meters. The viñátigo serves as food for the forest rats, who get drunk because the sap contains hallucinogenic properties. In addition, these ancestors of the avocado were called “the mahogany of the Canary Islands” due to the excellent quality of the wood, which was used to make noble furniture.
6. Vilaflor Fat Pine
The famous Pino Gordo or Pino de Las Dos Pernadas is located in the Tenerife municipality of Vilaflor. This canary pine (Pinus canariensis) it stands out among the more than 21 million adult Canary pine trees that are estimated to be in the Islands. It is located on the outskirts of the historic center of Vilaflor, in a delimited area around it as a viewpoint to highlight its value, close to the TF-21 general road. It is so important for the municipality that it forms part of its coat of arms. The measurements it presents are very striking: it is 45 meters high and 9.6 meters in circumference. “If it weren’t surrounded by trees, it could have grown even more,” says expert José Alberto Delgado. On its stem you can see how the passage of time has left marks, like fires. The Pino Gordo de Vilaflor has a particular branching that characterizes its structure: it has a very open crown and is divided into three large columns from 5 meters. This specimen is in a very good state of conservation, contrary to what happens with most of the centenary pines of the Archipelago. He has never been mistreated by the axe. It is considered the second tallest native tree in Spain.
7. Victory Pine
This specimen of Canarian pine (Pinus canariensis) is over 500 years old. It is located at the back of the Church of Our Lady of the Incarnation, in La Victoria de Acentejo. Its value lies mainly in its historical interest. Taking into account the ancient writings of the so-called Battle of the Victory of Acentejo, which confronted the Castilian invaders with the Guanches on December 25, 1495, Alonso Fernández de Lugo and his Castilian troops officiated the first mass in this tree after the triumph. Shortly after, the conqueror decided to build a hermitage next to this specimen. All this, under the patronage of the Queen of Los Angeles with the title of La Victoria next to the pine. The soil in this area is highly compressed and dry. It has a height of 18 meters. In one of its branches, currently non-existent, the bell that would officiate the Eucharist was hung. In the first ramification, one of its main branches was cut for some unknown reason and its root appears rotten. Its trunk has a bark that comes off very easily. It is a symbol for the municipality of Victoriero for its historical value and because, in addition, it has survived the passage of time. It appears on the shield of the municipality of La Victoria de Acentejo.
8. Barranco de Ruiz Centenary Strawberry Tree
This canary strawberry tree (of the species Arbutus canariensis) is located in the Barranco de Ruiz. In the municipality of Los Realejos, next to an area of abandoned orchards. Therefore, it is estimated that it was respected during agricultural activity. It has a height of 14 meters. It is one of the largest specimens found in the Canary Islands. It has three main branches and one on its side. A very characteristic element of this species is its bark. This one has a fairly smooth texture and it cracks in large layers continuously. There are two nearby specimens that are also of notable dimensions. What’s more, its flowers derive in edible orange fruits that have alcohol. The Guanches consumed it habitually. Because, when they are ripe, they taste quite sweet. Similarly, some authors relate the strawberry tree to the golden apple tree in the Garden of the Hesperides, named in Greek mythology.
