Benalmádena will plant more than 700 trees and palm trees

Up to 637 trees and 79 palm trees will be incorporated into the urban landscape of Benalmádena. These are the main figures from the second Tree Plan that will be initiated by the municipal government led by Juan Antonio Lara.

The program has been put out to tender for about 495,000 euros and includes not only the supply of new specimens but also all the necessary work to develop the plan, from the tasks related to planting (holes, placement of tutors, topsoil...) to others such as felling or pruning, transplanting, or stump removal of eliminated trees. The duration of the contract will extend until the budget allocation is exhausted.

It is an "ambitious" action whose main objective is "to recover all the trees lost years ago, especially in Benalmádena Costa, where for years we have sadly observed empty or covered tree pits," states the Councilor for the Environment, Juan Olea. The plan also allows, emphasizes the councilor, "to expand the green heritage" of Benalmádena.

200 New Zealand Christmas trees, 52 stone pines, 22 orange trees, 21 holm oaks, and 51 date palms will be planted

The idea of the City Council is "to opt for native species adapted to our climate," in addition to "prioritizing" in the selection of trees those that require "little water for their maintenance," Olea explained. In Benalmádena Costa, the water supply will be guaranteed thanks to the works that are currently being developed for the expansion of the regenerated water network.

Almost 100 different species

The 637 trees belong to more than 80 different species and will represent an expenditure for the municipal coffers of about 231,000 euros, VAT included. Almost a third of the total, 200 specimens, correspond to the pohutukawa (Metrosideros excelsa), known as the New Zealand Christmas tree due to its crimson flowers and for being endemic to that country. The batch includes 52 stone pines, 40 fruitless mulberries, 34 latoneros, 24 orange trees, 22 shade planes, 22 tarcos or blue jacaranda, and 21 holm oaks, among others.

Of the 79 palm trees that will be planted, 51 correspond to the well-known date palms (Phoenix dactylifera) and the other 28 belong to 14 different species. Each date palm specimen will cost 1,698 euros, while for the rest of the specimens the cost will range between 216 euros and 2,700 euros for a capitata palm or jelly palm (Butia capitata). In total, the cost of the palm trees will amount to just over 144,000 euros.