Tenerife Loses Ancient Dragon Tree, Protection Efforts Under Scrutiny

The recent fall of a centuries-old dragon tree in Los Realejos, Tenerife, has highlighted how delicate and important this species is. These trees are a big part of the Canary Islands' identity. This event means there's one less giant dragon tree on the island's official list, reducing a natural and cultural treasure of huge value.

The Dracaena draco is more than just a plant; it's a natural symbol of Tenerife, even protected by local laws. Its unique features, like its branching tops and greyish bark, have made it a key part of the islands' shared history, culture, and scenery. While it's easy to grow and popular in gardens, wild dragon tree forests are rare now. They mostly grow on rocky outcrops, cliffs, and steep, hard-to-reach slopes, at heights of 30 to 800 meters, especially in Tenerife, La Palma, and Gran Canaria.

However, protecting these special trees is difficult due to administrative issues. José Alberto Delgado, who leads the Biodiversity Unit for Tenerife's island government (Cabildo), made a detailed list to officially record and protect these monumental dragon trees. But this initiative hasn't been fully put into practice. The job was passed on to local councils, but so far, they haven't created their own lists for protection.

Because of the recent loss in Los Realejos, the official count of giant dragon trees in Tenerife, which was 39, is now 38. These trees have silently watched Canarian history unfold. They are found in different towns across the island and are a living legacy that needs urgent care and protection.

Below is a list of Tenerife's giant dragon trees, organized by town, with their key details:

• La Orotava (4):
  • Dragon tree of El Calderito restaurant: 12 meters tall, 150 years old.
  • Dragon tree of Candelaria del Lomo: 10 meters tall, 135 years old.
  • Dragon tree of La Dehesa: 11 meters tall, 150 years old.
  • Dragon tree of La Mocana: 8 meters tall, 150 years old.
• Los Realejos (1):
  • Dragon tree of Finca Doña Juana: 14 meters tall, age unknown.
• Santa Cruz de Tenerife (3):
  • Dragon tree of Benijo, Anaga: 12 meters tall, 180 years old.
  • Dragon tree of Pino de Oro: 11 meters tall, 135 years old.
  • Dragon tree of El Cura, Taganana: 11 meters tall, 250 years old.
• Icod de Los Vinos (3):
  • Millenary Dragon tree: 18 meters tall, 700-800 years old (the oldest and most famous).
  • Dragon tree of Buen Paso: 10 meters tall, 135 years old.
  • Dragon tree of San Antonio: 18 meters tall, 225 years old.
• Guía de Isora (2):
  • Dragon tree of Chiguergue: 10 meters tall, 150 years old.
  • Dragon tree of Tejina: 8.5 meters tall, 180 years old.
• Tacoronte (4):
  • Dragon tree of Don Lucio: 7 meters tall, 330 years old.
  • Dragon tree of San Juan: 12 meters tall, 150 years old.
  • Dragon tree of El Cristo: 11 meters tall, 200-230 years old.
  • Dragon tree of El Cubano: 10 meters tall, 225 years old.
• El Tanque (1):
  • Dragon tree of El Espigón: 6 meters tall, 135 years old.
• Garachico (3):
  • Dragon tree of El Genovés: 10 meters tall, 120 years old.
  • Dragon tree of La Culata: 10 meters tall, 150 years old.
  • Dragon tree of La Quinta: 7 meters tall, 135 years old.
• La Laguna (9):
  • Dragon tree of the Hermitage of San Miguel: 10 meters tall, 220 years old.
  • Dragon tree of the San Francisco del Obispado or Aledo Estate: 9 meters tall, 240 years old.
  • Dragon tree of the Order of San Vicente Ferrer: 8 meters tall, 135 years old.
  • Dragon tree of San Bartolomé de Geneto: 9 meters tall, 165 years old.
  • Dragon tree of Valle Tabares: 11 meters tall, 300 years old.
  • Dragon tree of Barranco del Agua de Dios: 8 meters tall, 150 years old.
  • Dragon tree of Barrio Nuevo or Dragon tree of Cho Marcos Ratón: 10 meters tall, 225 years old.
  • Dragon tree of Camino de Las Peras: 6 meters tall, 130 years old.
  • Dragon tree of the Seminary: 5 meters tall, 250-300 years old.
• Buenavista del Norte (1):
  • Dragon tree of the Hacienda del Conde de las 7 Fuentes: 9-10 meters tall, 300 years old.
• El Sauzal (1):
  • Dragon tree of the Servant of God: 10 meters tall, 200 years old.
• Tegueste (2):
  • Dragon tree of Montaña de Los Dragos: 8 meters tall, 345 years old.
  • Dragon tree of Prebendado Pacheco: 12 meters tall, 200 years old.
• Puerto de la Cruz (2):
  • Dragon tree of the La Paz cliff: 6 meters tall, 165 years old.
  • Main Dragon tree of Sitio Litre: 8 meters tall, 165 years old.
• Güímar (2):
  • Dragon tree of Buen Retiro: 10 meters tall, age unknown.
  • Dragon tree of La Raya: 7 meters tall, 140 years old.