A citizen initiative on Change.org is calling for an “urgent halt” to the felling of 25 Indian laurels on the Rambla of Santa Cruz de Tenerife between the Tulipán building and the Navy Command. As reported by EL DÍA on May 4th, the Santa Cruz council plans to fell these trees, which will be replaced with new specimens. This action is part of a tree improvement project set to begin in June and expected to finish by December.
The request from María Teresa Santamaría Ramiro, on behalf of the Tree Committee of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, a group in the process of formalisation, demands an immediate halt to any felling or irreversible action until a rigorous, transparent, and independent technical evaluation is provided. The group wishes to access a complete technical report prepared by a competent, independent body with proven experience in assessing large urban trees. This report should include:
– The health and structural status of each tree.
– Any detected diseases or pests.
– Environmental or management stress factors affecting vitality.
– Viable conservation, management, or recovery options.
Petitioners argue that given the historical and environmental importance of the trees, each diagnosis should be based on objective and transparent technical criteria, prioritising alternatives to felling, whilst urging the implementation of “conservative measures” to restore the health of viable trees.
A major grievance is the alleged lack of public documentation supporting the urgency of this action. Neither the municipal Green Infrastructure Plan nor the recommended technical report has been published or made available for public consultation, going against existing environmental and transparency laws, say the neighbours and the Tree Committee.
Information from the Tree Committee and visual assessments indicate repeated mismanagement, such as excessive pruning weakening the trees, lack of irrigation, insufficient plant health treatments, and ineffective management over the years. “After years of poor management, mass felling is unacceptable,” they argue, warning that removing 25 mature trees would destroy a vital “urban forest” and damage the city’s landscape and history.
Concerns have also been raised that the trees’ deterioration may be due to future urban development interests. Residents fear potential plans for car parks, road changes, or other usage shifts in the affected area. They urge maximum transparency to dispel any suspicions of “induced degradation” for future projects.
The Tree Committee has called for an urgent meeting with the Environment, Parks, and Gardens Department, as well as responsible municipal technicians, to collectively examine all possible alternatives. Until concerns are addressed and transparency assured, they demand a temporary suspension of any irreversible actions.
Santa Cruz Council, which signed the Declaration of the Right to the Tree in the City in 1995 and committed again in 2016, is legally obliged to publish relevant technical reports and ensure public participation. Not doing so risks serious public trust issues.
The laurels on the Rambla represent more than just trees; they embody the memory and identity of generations in Santa Cruz, providing shade, biodiversity, and enhancing public spaces. Felling them would “break the city’s soul” and eliminate a shared cultural symbol.
The green heritage of Santa Cruz is crucial in the fight against climate change and for public health. Citizens and experts call for a thoughtful approach, managed with technical precision and environmental sensitivity.
The community, organised around the Tree Committee and other environmental bodies, appeals for a responsible approach to tree management. “A city that fells without listening to its people loses more than trees: it loses trust and coherence,” they warn. They propose collaborative work with authorities to find alternatives, offering to help design more respectful and transparent plans. “There is still time to make the right decision,” they conclude.
As of 18:15 on Thursday, 5 June, 155 people had supported the petition.
