The City Council of Seville has planted more than 400 melia trees in the last three years, a species that now totals over 11,100 specimens in the city and is consolidating as the third most abundant.
The City Council of Seville, through the Department of Tree Planting, Parks and Gardens, has launched the planting of over 400 melia (Melia azedarach) in the last three years, one of the most emblematic species of the urban landscape of the capital of Andalusia. In just the last year, 156 new specimens have been added, mainly in large avenues and parks across the city.
The melia, also known as the paradise tree or chinaberry, is native to Southeast Asia and was introduced to Seville during the 16th century. Its adaptation to the local climate has made it a common presence in streets, squares, and gardens. Currently, Seville has over 11,100 melia trees, which represents approximately 4% of the total urban tree population, surpassed only by the bitter orange (Citrus x aurantium) and the hackberry (Celtis australis), and ahead of the tipuana (Tipuana tipu) and the jacaranda (Jacaranda mimosifolia).
The delegate for Tree Planting, Parks and Gardens, Evelia Rincón, has highlighted that “melia trees are part of the everyday image of Seville and constitute one of the most recognisable trees in our urban landscape. Knowing the species that surround us helps us better appreciate the green heritage of the city and the important role it plays in our daily well-being.”
The melia is a large deciduous tree capable of providing extensive shaded areas during the warmer months. Its leaves have a characteristic serrated edge and a leafy crown that contributes to improving the thermal comfort of streets and public spaces. Additionally, its fruits, which change from green to a colour similar to that of a small chickpea during their development, remain on the tree for much of the year, providing a recognisable ornamental element.
Rincón has emphasised that “the presence of over 11,000 melia trees in Seville demonstrates the extraordinary adaptation of this species to our climatic conditions.” In this regard, she recalled that “urban trees not only beautify the city but also provide shade, improve environmental quality, and contribute to making Seville a more liveable and healthy city.”
This initiative is part of the municipal strategy to promote and enhance the city's tree heritage. Under the government of José Luis Sanz, the aim is to bring citizens closer to the knowledge of the species that make up Seville's green infrastructure, thus fostering their conservation and appreciation.
For the residents of Seville, these plantings represent a direct improvement in their quality of life. The shade provided by the melia trees in avenues and parks is particularly valued during the summer months when temperatures frequently exceed 40 degrees. Furthermore, the presence of trees helps to reduce air and noise pollution and promotes urban biodiversity by serving as a refuge for birds and insects.
Thus, the melia joins other species that form the rich tree heritage of Seville, which includes over 200,000 trees throughout the city. The commitment to their planting in recent years reinforces the City Council's dedication to sustainability and adaptation to climate change, in a context where cities are increasingly seeking nature-based solutions.
The new melia trees have been distributed in locations such as Avenida de la Palmera, Parque de María Luisa, and other green spaces in the city. The City Council plans to continue these plantings in the coming years, with the goal of maintaining and increasing the tree cover of the capital of Andalusia.
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