Los Realejos Bolsters Botanical Protection Following Historic Dragon Tree Collapse
Following the collapse of a historic 200-year-old dragon tree, the Los Realejos council has implemented enhanced monitoring, technical assessments, and collaborative conservation strategies to protect the region's remaining botanical heritage from extreme weather.
The loss of the 200-year-old Buenpaso Dragon Tree, which collapsed during severe weather on March 4th, has prompted Los Realejos to overhaul how it protects its botanical heritage. Following the destruction of the seven-meter-wide specimen, the local council is tightening surveillance and conservation efforts to shield other unique trees from increasingly extreme weather.
Led by the Department of Rural Development and Environment and the public company Realserv, the council has ramped up its strategy in recent months. A major priority is the "Twin Dragon Trees" in Realejo Bajo. Officials have launched a technical study for these trees, which includes chemical analysis and a thorough risk assessment. They have also installed motion sensors to monitor the trees’ stability and structural health in real time.
These protection efforts extend beyond public land. For the past three years, the council has provided guidance to private owners on how to maintain their trees, manage plant health, and improve growing conditions. In the same spirit of cooperation, the council is working closely with the owners of the Siete Fuentes Dragon Tree to ensure its long-term survival.
To ensure these efforts are scientifically sound, the municipality is collaborating with experts from the Icod de los Vinos Dragon Tree and the Puerto de la Cruz Botanical Garden. This initiative highlights the urgent need for proactive management; as the collapse of the Buenpaso tree proved, constant care is essential to prevent the permanent loss of the region's most valuable historical and ecological treasures.