This morning, Oaxaca began mourning the loss of two of the Zócalo’s iconic and beloved Indian laurels. In less than 48 hours, two of these massive trees, planted between 1875 and 1885, had fallen. Unfortunately, in their untimely demise, they join several other Indian laurels shading the Zócalo and Alameda that have crashed to the ground in the past ten years.
Yellow caution tape at the entrance to the Alameda
The concern is there will be more — thus, today these public spaces have been closed to the public with yellow caution tape and police barring the entrances.
Standing water at the base of an Indian laurel tree on the Alameda.
Ostensibly, the high winds and torrential rain Oaxaca is currently experiencing caused the trees to topple. However, our stormy weather these days is only the straw that broke the camel’s back.
Tending to the hole left by the Indian laurel that fell on Sept. 15, 2020 at the southwest corner of the Zócalo.
Several years ago, as we walked through the Zócalo and Alameda, I remember listening intently as the late artist and tree historian/savior Francisco Verástegui passionately described the indignities these trees had suffered, including disruption to their root systems when, in 2005, a governor attempted to remodel the Zócalo.
Status update at the northwest corner of the Zócalo.
Thankfully, a protest movement stopped that plan, but damage had already been done. What followed, among other things, was improper pruning, inadequate irrigation, faulty drainage, and the use of unsterilized mulch leading to the growth of fungus and causing the roots to rot — all of which contributed to the trees tumbling down.
Indian laurel that fell the evening of Sept. 17, 2020 on the southeast corner of the Zócalo.
And, it’s not only the trees in the Alameda and Zócalo. The director of the civil association Oaxaca Fértil estimates that 90% of the trees in the municipality of Oaxaca have been neglected, are diseased, and run the risk of collapsing. Let us hope that more of the historic trees that contribute to the beauty of Oaxaca can be saved and cared for in the way they deserve.
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Sad. All those arching trees created such a special feel to the Zocalo. Has there been any replanting, or plans tor, in the spots where the previous trees were lost. It must be hard to think of spending money on trees when so many people are poor and have such pressing financial needs.
In the past, there has been a movement to replace those lost with native trees. We shall see…
Indeed Shannon. It seems no place in the world, save perhaps Cuba, honors nature. One only needs to try to absorb what is unfolding on the west coast of the U.S. to see how little we value our flora and fauna.
Yes. The problem seems to come down to politics, political connections, priorities, and an incredible lack of understanding of the science.
How very sad to loose out wonderful trees
Already, the character of the zócalo seems changed.
Que lastima. Southwest corner, “El Arbol Grande” in front of Asador Vasco, under which the Tuesday (or is it Wednesday?) night dancing in the street happens? Hello, Shannon, been following your blog for years, and just recently subscribed, with heartfelt thanks for your beautiful and thoughtful constant connection to our beloved Oaxaca. We’ve been fairly frequent visitors there since 1977, very frequent since 1997, and winter regulars (a month or so every year, December/January or February/March) for the past 6 or 7 years. Casa Colonial. Close friends of Thorny (Puede descansar en Paz) and Jane. Hope we get to meet sometime. We’re booked to return Feb/March 2021, and March 2022, if, if, if… Baker Rorick & Betsy Friedman, Woodstock, NY.
If, if, if… There is still a tree or two near that corner, but… I know Jane and Amado, the manager of Casa Colonial. Keep in touch and let me know when you return.
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What a sad story, at all levels.
Yes, politics, incompetence, and Mother Nature.