Following the fall of the historic dragon tree from the San Francisco cemetery last March, the Los Realejos City Council has begun preparations to plant a new specimen. The century-old tree, known as Drago del Buenpaso, collapsed onto six vehicles without causing injuries, but represented a significant botanical loss for the municipality. Works to repair the cemetery wall, which gave way under the tree's weight, have already commenced.
The new dragon tree, expected in July, stands about four and a half meters tall. It is currently located in a public area managed by the Council, where preliminary work is underway to facilitate its adaptation, including digging a trench around its base to prepare its roots. According to botanical specialists, this specimen was chosen because it meets the ideal conditions for transplanting, avoiding excessively large sizes or voluminous canopies that would complicate handling with a crane and truck.
The mayor, Adolfo González, explained that the new location at the cemetery entrance will provide more ground space for the dragon tree's growth, unlike the previous specimen which was "boxed in a planter." The project also includes improving drainage to prevent moisture buildup at the base of the new tree.
Concurrently, the City Council is developing a municipal catalog of botanical species of interest, which is expected to be completed by the end of this year or early next. This inventory will assign a protection level to each specimen, enabling the Council to require property owners to maintain and monitor trees, even those on private land, similar to the conservation of dilapidated buildings. The aim is to equip the administration with legal tools to enforce the protection of local botanical heritage.
Reports on the previous dragon tree's fall indicate that the weight of its canopy, exacerbated by heavy winter rains, was the primary cause. Being confined in a planter with limited root development space also contributed to its collapse. The mayor expressed regret that the new specimen cannot replace the symbolism and history of the old tree, although a mural and a sculptural ensemble will be installed to commemorate it.
