The inhabitants of block 10 on Santa Cruz Arona Street, situated in the La Salud Alto district, have been granted a brief respite in their battle to halt the removal of the majestic flamboyant tree that stands tall in their community garden. Yesterday, workers from the City Council of the capital city took down the parking restriction signs placed in front of their residences for seven hours. This timeframe had been designated for the felling of the more than 60-year-old tree, citing alleged root deterioration.
The Parks and Gardens department notified the residents of this impending action on June 19, sparking protests and demonstrations, including chaining themselves to the tree to prevent its felling, as reported by DIARIO DE AVISOS. However, following a contradictory technical report by an agricultural engineer challenging the initial diagnosis by the city council, the Department of Public Services has decided to halt (at least temporarily) the scheduled felling pending a third assessment of the tree’s health.
Santiago Palenzuela, a resident, revealed that the felling signs set for the tree were removed yesterday, and additionally, “two council workers entered the area without permission to take pictures of the flamboyant,” he stated.
He expressed bewilderment at the council’s persistence, stating, “We fail to comprehend the council’s hidden agenda in this matter since we have submitted a contrary report to Parks and Gardens asserting that the tree is not diseased, albeit recommending pruning and crown reduction.”
Furthermore, Palenzuela disclosed, “Unofficially, we have learned that the council plans to proceed with a forced felling of the tree if left unchecked, with the residents footing the bill, a proposition we vehemently oppose. No one will sanction the felling of this tree, particularly through such high-handed methods.”
The assessment conducted at the behest of the residents and the Santa Cruz Tree Panel by agricultural engineer Carlos Alberto Jorge Santana emphasises that “the specimen of Delonix regia (flamboyant), boasting a trunk circumference of 207 centimetres, a height of 10 metres, and a 12-metre diameter crown, is sited in a location with ample space for its growth. Given the environment and the tree’s condition, there appears to be no immediate justification for its removal.”
