Today, the La Granja park in Santa Cruz de Tenerife reopens to the public after being closed since last Saturday due to a tree fall, specifically a false pepper tree. The reopening has been accompanied by safety measures as certain areas have been restricted due to the risk of further tree falls, as confirmed by Carlos Tarife, the Councilor for Public Services.
Following the decision to close La Granja, a comprehensive study was conducted on all the park’s trees to assess their health. This investigation concluded yesterday, revealing that several trees are affected by fungi. “As a result, it has been decided to prune two false pepper trees and two ficus trees, with these areas cordoned off to restrict public access,” explained Tarife.
In addition, it was discovered that a jacaranda near the House of Culture in the park’s vicinity was at risk of falling, leading to its removal.
The full reopening of La Granja park is anticipated in the coming days, contingent on the completion of planned actions addressing the affected trees, as stated by the councilor. “At present, our top priority is ensuring the safety of individuals while carrying out the necessary felling and pruning to maintain the good condition of our municipality’s trees,” he emphasised.
Tarife highlighted that the city council has a robust maintenance contract for parks and gardens. However, since October, several incidents involving falling trees, particularly along the Rambla de Santa Cruz, prompted an urgent and thorough study of the city’s trees, with nearly 40,000 specimens already analysed.
The diagnosis is “crucial for public safety,” and it has been determined that the primary threat is the presence of fungi, specifically Inonotus Riky and Ganoderma lucidum.
The mayor urged for “calm in response to these situations, as trees are living organisms that react to various environmental and health factors.”
