Just like any other city resident suffers when the summer sun beats down, the monumental trees of Murcia are not immune to the heat. For this reason, the Murcia City Council has launched a program special hydration operation through its Department of Urban Development to lend a hand to its most valuable tree heritage and prevent high temperatures from causing havoc.
The absolute priority of these projects is ensure pedestrian safety that pass through the gardens, since extreme water stress can cause branches to crack or, in the worst cases, break off. Keeping these specimens healthy is not only an aesthetic matter, but a fundamental preventative measure so that neighbors and visitors enjoy the outdoors with complete peace of mind during the most intense heat waves.
Large-scale hydration in the historic Floridablanca Garden
One of the most striking operations is taking place in the iconic Floridablanca Garden. There, workers are using some high-powered water cannons capable of projecting the jet more than twenty meters high. These veritable "giant showers" manage to refresh both the base and the upper part of the ficus canopy. drastically reducing heat stress that the trees accumulate after hours of exposure to the Murcian sun.
This deployment began operating during the first half of June with a frequency of three times a week, although as the temperature rises, the technicians switch to performing these baths of daily form according to physiological needs of each copy. Each of these refresher sessions lasts approximately three hours and requires keep the garden closed to the public momentarily to ensure that no one gets an unexpected soaking or takes unnecessary risks.
Furthermore, these green giants of Floridablanca receive a very generous extra supply of water, reaching consume about 200 liters per day per specimen thanks to this system. This aims to ensure that the tree's stability is not compromised and that the plant heritage, which is city's defining characteristic, to remain in the best possible condition against the rigors of summer.
Tailor-made technology for each monumental specimen
Not all trees have the same needs, so the strategy has been designed with a ruler and scale. In areas such as Plaza de Santo Domingo, the area around the Reina Sofía Hospital, and the Artillery Barracks, they have been installed controlled nebulization systemsThis technique involves releasing a fine mist of water that raises the ambient humidity inside the cup, creating a much more pleasant microclimate for the tree without needing to flood the area.
The most curious case is found in the magnolia tree in Plaza Díez de Revenga, which, being a species especially sensitive to lack of humidity, has a trunk irrigation systemThis method allows water to reach where it is most needed, compensating for the dryness of the Murcian climate. Furthermore, the entire network of monumental ficus trees is monitored by a... smart irrigation system with sensors soil moisture and weather stations that adjust the necessary water in real time.
All this intensive care infrastructure is part of a broader vision for the city known as Plan Foresta. Thanks to this initiative, [the following has already been done]. planted more than 37.000 trees in the municipality, seeking not only to conserve what we already have, but also to create new shaded areas and improve local biodiversity so that the city is much better prepared to face the challenges posed by climate change.
The deployment of cutting-edge technology, combined with constant on-the-ground work, allows ficus trees and other historic trees to continue being the lungs of the capital. Thanks to the monitoring of variables such as leaf temperature and soil condition, a efficient water managementensuring that these living monuments remain standing and in good health so that future generations can also find shelter under their shade.
