In several streets of the capital, the number of crews cutting and removing palm trees that are already dry or seriously illThe scene is especially visible on Morena Street in the Narvarte neighborhood, where not long ago those towering canopies provided shade and now their trunks lie sectioned, waiting to be loaded.
The Government of Mexico City has launched a operation to remove specimens in poor condition and avoid accidents, with a first phase that includes the removal of 1,500 dead or terminal palm trees and their subsequent replacement by native trees better adapted to the urban climate.
Where are they operating and what is the operation like?
In addition to Narvarte, work is progressing in sections of Gabriel Mancera, Eje 5 (Eugenia) and the Valle Centro neighborhood, as well as in areas of Benito Juárez such as Las Américas Park and IztaccÃhuatl Park. At the affected areas, the trunks are cut into sections, stacked alongside the dried leaves, and prepared for transport in trucks identified as part of the Comprehensive Palm Tree Care Program.
For these tasks a skid steer, three stump grinders and two 40-ton cranes, with personnel from the Environment and Public Works Department. After the controlled felling, the stumps are removed to prevent regrowth and prepare the tree pits for replacement plantings.
Health reasons and risks
The decision is based on an accumulated phytosanitary problem: various diseases caused by fungi and phytoplasmas have decimated the palm trees, with diagnoses that include coconut yellowing and the so-called red ring, among other pathogens detected for at least 15 years.
Experts point out that fungal spores They travel with the wind and easily infect nearby specimens.This explains the simultaneous outbreaks on several avenues. When palm trees die standing, their stability is compromised and they can fall on pedestrians, vehicles, or facades, hence the emphasis on removing those that already pose a real risk.
Scope of the plan and figures
The authorities have registered around 15,000 palm trees in the city and they estimate that around 9,000 are showing life-threatening symptoms or have died. The current strategy began on September 9 with an immediate goal: to remove 1,500 terminally ill specimens before the end of the year and continue with progressive replacements as diagnoses progress.
The problem is concentrated mainly in Benito Juarez, Cuauhtemoc, Coyoacan and Miguel HidalgoA recent count in these four districts recorded 12,302 palm trees, of which 6,000 were treated. The most affected streets include Avenida de las Palmas, Florencia, Vértiz, Morena, and Fray Servando, where tree pits ready for new plantings can already be seen.
What will be planted and why
In place of the removed palm trees will be placed Native trees such as peach, tejocote, myrtle or elm, to which are added species such as guamúchil, cedar, and ebony, selected for their adaptation to the local climate, their contribution to biodiversity, and their reduced impact on pavements and underground services.
The plan provides for maintenance and monitoring of both the palm trees that are preserved and the new trees, with the aim of reducing the urban heat island, improving street trees, and consolidating a landscape that is more resilient to pests and episodes of water stress.
Where did so many palm trees come from?
Although today they are part of the urban imagination, palm trees They are not species native to the Valley of MexicoIts expansion dates back to the mid-20th century, when examples were imported from the Canary Islands, in part to replicate the feel of the Los Angeles boulevards that dazzled leaders of the time.
During the forties they were planted in colonies such as Chapultepec Hills, Polanco, Anzures, Lindavista and Balbuena Garden to recreate a sophisticated tropical landscape, in the aesthetic vein of Beverly Hills. This ornamental design, strongly symbolic at the time, didn't fully appreciate its limitations in the face of the local climate and pathogens.
What will they do with the removed logs?
The resulting wood It will not be discarded: it will be recycled as street furnitureThe stems will be transferred to the Nezahualcóyotl Nursery in Xochimilco to be treated and transformed into benches or other elements for parks and public spaces, giving these specimens a second use.
With work fronts active in several areas and the calendar ticking, the capital is moving forward with a complex process: Remove at-risk palm trees, address the health emergency, and replant with native species. to strengthen green infrastructure. The technical deployment, figures, and locations show a shift in Mexico City's tree population, seeking greater safety, plant health, and useful shade on the streets.