The relocation of a tree believed to be nearly 300 years old began on Wednesday in Córdoba Province, following two months of protests, legal appeals and demonstrations.
The white quebracho (Aspidosperma quebracho blanco) tree, native to South America and known for its exceptionally hard wood, stood beside a motorway in the residential area of Villa Allende, near the city of Córdoba, around 700 kilometres from the capital.
The road is being widened from two to four lanes and the tree, unfortunately, stands in the way.
Its removal – involving a crane to extract it, a lorry for transport, and another crane to replant it some 25 metres from its original spot – took place under heavy police presence.
Dozens of protesters, including environmental activists and local residents,have demonstrated against the tree’s relocation. They described the quebracho as an “icon” of Argentina’s endangered native forests and warned that it would not survive the transplant.
Placards at the site read “Stand strong like the quebracho” and “Thank you, grandfather.”
The tree, silhouetted alone against the backdrop of the unfinished highway, became a rallying point for campaigners, who held vigils, set up a campsite and organised patrols under the slogan: “Save the quebracho.”
According to forest engineers, a tree of this kind “has no chance of surviving a transplant,” claimed Guillermo Galliano, president of the environmental organisation Mil Aves.
He explained that local flora have evolved to develop deep root systems to endure droughts and that the new pit prepared for the quebracho “is far too shallow.”
The transplant was carried out after local courts ruled in favour of the Villa Allende municipal government, which cited “road safety” as justification for the move.
“The safety of the people comes first,” said Villa Allende Government Secretary Felipe Crespo in an interview with local outlet Cadena 3.
The case has drawn national attention, with musicians and sports figures – including musician León Gieco – joining calls to protect the tree.
Two people have been arrested in connection with the protests: a journalist and a motorist who blocked excavation vehicles with his car.
Several local construction firms had refused to participate in the removal. However, the municipal government, which insists it took all necessary precautions to preserve the specimen, eventually secured a crane.
“In Córdoba, we’ve already lost 97 percent of our forests in the last 120 years,” Galliano said. “This tree is a metaphor – it’s the symbol of all those others we’ve failed to protect.”
– TIMES/AFP
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