Barcelona City Council has added five new trees to its Local Interest Tree Catalogue. These specimens, located across the Horta-Guinardó, Nou Barris, and Sarrià-Sant Gervasi districts, now receive special protection. This designation prevents their felling without specific municipal authorisation.
The newly protected trees include an araucaria in the Gardens of Can Borni. This garden is situated in the Sant Genís dels Agudells neighbourhood of Horta-Guinardó. Additionally, a hackberry on Piferrer Street in the Porta neighbourhood of Nou Barris now has protected status. An eucalyptus in a garden on Labèrnia Street, within the Can Baró neighbourhood of Horta-Guinardó, also joins the catalogue. A black poplar at the Font de Can Llevallol in Vallvidrera, part of Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, is also included. Finally, a large-leaved lime at the entrance to the Can Masdéu farmhouse in the Canyelles neighbourhood of Nou Barris completes the list.
Protecting Barcelona's Green Heritage
The Local Interest Tree Catalogue is a critical tool for preserving unique trees throughout Barcelona. It safeguards specimens for their historical, landscape, or biological value. The City Council considers several factors for inclusion. These include a tree's rarity, aesthetic qualities, historical significance, age, and overall size. Any work on these trees, whether in public or private spaces, requires prior municipal approval. This protection is specific, enforced through the city's environmental ordinance. It ensures these natural landmarks remain part of the urban fabric for future generations.
Expanding a Decades-Old Catalogue
Barcelona started building this catalogue in the mid-1990s. Today, it features hundreds of unique trees spread across all city districts. The aim is to preserve trees that stand out due to their age, dimensions, rarity, or connection to Barcelona's history. The catalogue also includes groups of trees and plantations with heritage value, not just isolated examples. Barcelona is part of a wider system in Catalonia for protecting tree heritage. This regional system lists over 1,200 trees and groves as being of local or regional interest. This framework helps coordinate the conservation of natural elements. These elements often go unnoticed but form part of the collective memory of neighbourhoods.
Past Challenges and Future Safeguards
Many catalogued trees have decades, or even more than a century, of history. They have survived significant urban transformations. However, their preservation is not always guaranteed. Some specimens have faced threats in recent years from urban construction, storms, or diseases. For example, an elm in the Blanca Selva i Henry gardens was felled in 2022. A storm severely damaged it. Other historic trees have required urgent interventions. They have also been the subject of public debate when urban projects threatened their survival. This new protection helps prevent similar losses.
Raising Awareness for Urban Green Spaces
The expansion of the catalogue helps shield these trees from potential harm. It also contributes to raising public awareness about the value of urban green spaces. This is particularly important during a period of climate crisis. Preserving these natural elements helps maintain the collective memory of Barcelona's neighbourhoods. It also supports the city's environmental goals moving forward. The City Council continues its efforts to identify and protect more of Barcelona's valuable green assets.
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Originally published by Tot Barcelona. Read original article.
