Dressed in dark clothing and wearing a hat, cap, or bandana; holding a candle and a poster with a meaningful message, the environmental group Los Arboles Speak has issued a peculiar call to action. Their aim is to protest the recent cutting down of a eucalyptus tree in García Sanabria park in the Tenerife capital. The Santa Cruz de Tenerife City Council made the decision to remove the eucalyptus last Friday after a large branch fell on a Swiss tourist, injuring them.
The vigil for the fallen eucalyptus is scheduled for tomorrow at 6:00 p.m. at the Flower Clock in the aforementioned park. This event coincides with World Environment Day, and attendees are encouraged to join this unique form of protest against the council’s decision, which is once again branded as “arboricide.”
Virginia González, a member of the group, highlights that “the council neglected the maintenance of the eucalyptus, leading to the branch falling and causing harm. Additionally, they ignored the recommendation from the company responsible for tree assessments, which suggested pruning and conducting wood inspections. Despite this, they opted to cut down a 60-year-old living specimen.” The group criticizes the council for its mistreatment of the city’s trees and demands the resignation of the Councilor for Public Services, Carlos Tarife.
Following the vigil, a meeting will be held to establish the Santa Cruz Tree Table at the Climate plaza in the park at 5:00 p.m.
