Alarm bells are ringing again in Spain over the condition of several centuries-old trees. The main focus is on Churra (Murcia), where a historic row of pine trees has suffered an unprecedented collapse, but this is not the only warning: in cities and towns, complaints are surfacing about damage or losses affecting trees that are centuries old.
The concern is not merely sentimental or aesthetic. We are talking about legally protected natural heritage , landmarks of the landscape, and living witnesses to local history. Conservation organizations are demanding urgent measures and, when these are not forthcoming, they announce they will take legal action to determine responsibility.
Murcia: Churra's century-old pines are on the ropes
The Association for the Conservation of the Heritage of the Murcia Orchard (Huermur) has reported that of the 26 centuries-old pine trees counted in 2001 in the Churra orchard, only eight remain standing , and one of them is in a very precarious state. These are large trees that, for generations, have served as landmarks and living memories of the area.
These trees are protected by the General Urban Development Plan of Murcia (PGOU) and by Law 14/2016 on Monumental Tree Heritage of the Region of Murcia, which obliges the authorities to ensure their conservation. According to Huermur, the lack of effective action has allowed for a deterioration they consider unacceptable.
These conditions have accelerated their deterioration, partly due to the current heat wave and the drying out of the surrounding area. During a recent inspection, the scene was described as “horrible and Dantean ,” highlighting the critical situation for these centuries-old pine trees.
In its public communications, Huermur points to the Murcia City Council and the Autonomous Community for alleged breaches of their protection duties, although they emphasize that it will be the judges who determine whether there are criminal or administrative responsibilities.
Demands on the ground and possible legal action
The association requests immediate emergency irrigation for the remaining trees, especially during periods of extreme heat, and the removal of the Churra la Nueva irrigation ditch , whose channeling, according to the organization, contributes to the drying up of the area.
Huermur has announced that it will take the matter to court for potential environmental crimes , as defined in the Penal Code (articles 325 et seq.). The immediate action they are demanding aims to prevent further losses and protect these specimens.
- Recommendations for the protection of century-old trees: understand the best practices and techniques for its conservation in urban and rural environments.
Other recent notices about century-old trees
In Ceuta, the DAUBMA association has reported that during construction work next to the Siete Colinas Institute , soil was removed and the roots of two centuries-old ficus trees were cut and subsequently sealed with concrete. This poses a direct threat to the trees' survival and increases the risk to the school community.
This group demands the immediate suspension of any work that affects structural roots, the review of projects and the incorporation of certified arborists in the planning, as well as requesting an audit of the use of funds and an urgent risk assessment in educational environments.
In El Bierzo (León), a fire in Paradiña produced striking images of monumental chestnut trees engulfed in flames. Authorities activated a high alert level due to the danger to people and the forest heritage , demonstrating how extreme events can destroy in days what took centuries to grow.
In Galicia, the parish of Entenza (Salceda de Caselas) lost one of its historic cork oak trees , probably due to a severe storm. The tree, with a circumference of about 7 meters and a height of 14 meters, was at least four centuries old and formed part of the grounds of the Chapel of the Ascension, which was planning to include it in the catalogue of Singular Trees.
What ancient trees teach us
These giant trees are living archives that hold evidence of droughts, fires, and climate change in their wood. Dendrochronology allows us to analyze their rings to reconstruct environmental events spanning centuries, making it a valuable tool for guiding land management.
Their value is also cultural and symbolic. In Spain, iconic examples such as the Dragon Tree of Icod , the Juniper of El Hierro , the Holm Oak of La Terrona , the Chestnut of Coiros , or the yew trees of the Pyrenees connect past and present and enrich local identity.
Proper protection requires catalogs of remarkable trees , educational trails, community stewardship, and the integration of technical criteria into urban planning and public works. Every intervention must prioritize conservation and safety, always valuing what these trees contribute to our landscape and culture.
The signs coming from Murcia, Ceuta, El Bierzo and Galicia show that centuries-old trees are vulnerable to neglect, poorly planned construction and extreme weather events, so they need technical care, institutional commitment and social monitoring to ensure they remain part of our lives for many generations.