Seville City Council has announced an action plan to protect the ficus tree on Calle Castilla, in Triana. It includes a 30% pruning of the canopy, expansion of the tree pit, and soil improvements to ensure its viability.
The ficus tree on Calle Castilla, next to Plaza Chapina in the Triana district of Seville, will undergo a comprehensive intervention to ensure its conservation and the safety of the area. Seville City Council, through the Parks and Gardens Service, has launched a plan that includes a 30% control pruning of the canopy, expansion of the tree pit, and soil decompaction using pneumatic technology.
According to a statement from the Council, the tree is in a compromised structural situation and shows signs of accumulated physiological stress. Among the identified problems are main forks with included bark, biomechanical imbalances, and sunburns caused by previous prunings, which have diminished its stability. Additionally, the root system has deteriorated due to limited available space, soil compaction, and what is considered inadequate water management.
The tree is located in a high pedestrian traffic area with the presence of terraces and outdoor seating, which raises the risk level to moderate. However, the potential consequences of a hypothetical fall of branches or the tree itself could be severe, according to municipal sources. Therefore, a specific management and conservation plan has been activated, which will be developed in phases.
The control pruning will reduce the leaf cover by up to 30%, following European pruning and biosecurity standards. The aim is to compact the canopy, reduce the moment of force at the base of the tree, and minimize the sail effect in gusts of wind, paying special attention to lateralized axes. This intervention will be complemented by pneumatic decompaction of the soil using AirSpade technology, which will promote oxygenation and root development.
Furthermore, the tree pit will be expanded by one metre in radius, which will be protected with a perimeter fence, and the soil quality will be improved with the addition of organic mulch and slow-release biostimulants. The Council has announced that geometric control markers will be installed and advanced visual inspections will be conducted every four months, as well as after adverse weather episodes.
The plan also includes a phytopathological study to detect possible pathogens, optimization of irrigation—prioritising blanket irrigation to avoid damage to exposed wood—and the execution of low-intensity maintenance prunings. These measures aim to reconcile the conservation of the tree with the safety of the public, as stated by the Council.
Residents of Triana and users of the area will be able to observe the work in the coming weeks. The Council has not specified an exact start date but has assured that advance notice will be given to minimise inconvenience. This action adds to other municipal initiatives to preserve the urban tree canopy of the city, which has faced similar challenges in recent years due to the aging of specimens and urban environmental conditions.
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