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Iconic Tenerife dragon tree falls after centuries, crushing cars below
270-year-old San Francisco specimen topples in Los Realejos amid storm damage
Los Realejos, in Tenerife, mourns the loss of its beloved San Francisco dragon tree, a 17-metre tall emblem estimated at 270 to 300 years old, which crashed down around 8pm Wednesday March 4. The giant Dracaena draco, known as the Buenpaso or San Francisco Cemetery tree, damaged six or seven cars, a wall and street lighting near the cemetery in Realejo Bajo, but thankfully caused no injuries.
Mayor Adolfo González, who cut short his holiday to oversee the response, called it a profound blow. "It's not just any plant species that has been lost, it is a symbol of the flora of the Canary Islands and a symbol of the landscape and history of our town," he said. "We have lost a historical symbol." González noted recent monitoring showed no issues. "We were monitoring this dragon tree and hadn't found any problems that would have indicated something like this could happen. We're surprised."Experts suspect Storm Regina's heavy rain and winds played a role, though a full probe is underway. Thursday March 5 saw technicians from the Canary Islands Government's Plant Health Department, Botanical Garden, Drago Park and La Tahonilla Environmental Center join municipal agronomist Tesi Hernández and gardening head Mercedes González for samples and a report. The Los Realejos Ayuntamiento, with Tenerife Island Council and forestry help, will handle removal.
Local Police, firefighters and garden crews secured the site overnight, fencing it off and restoring power. Access remains restricted for safety as cleanup continues.This majestic tree, with 14 branches and aerial roots, has long wowed visitors, described as an "enormous candelabra supporting a forest of yuccas". Writers like José de Viera y Clavijo praised dragon's blood resin for medicine and dyes. Its rare flowering every 15 years was a sight to behold. Though linked to the cemetery, it stood in an adjacent garden behind a walled entrance.
Since 2021, the Ayuntamiento has treated local dragon trees based on expert checks. The fall leaves residents saddened but grateful no one was hurt.
Image: Ayuntamiento de Los Realejos/Facebook
