Barcelona is set to drastically cut the number of plane trees on its streets over the next ten years, according to the city council's new Tree Master Plan. The plan aims to reduce the current 43,722 plane trees by 56%, lowering their proportion of the city's total tree population from 27.45% to 12% by 2037.
The municipal government, led by Jaume Collboni, has set a criterion that no single species should exceed 15% of the urban tree total. This decision follows renewed debate about plane trees, particularly after the recent Sant Jordi festival, when a heavy fall of seeds caused irritation and allergic reactions among residents.
Officials stated that the change is primarily driven by urban management considerations. "This measure responds to safety and sustainability criteria: when a city relies too much on a single species, the risk of a pest or disease affecting a significant part of the tree population increases. Diversification helps avoid this vulnerability," the city council explained.
Diversifying Barcelona's Green Infrastructure
The reduction in plane tree dominance is not a new initiative, according to the council. In 2010, plane trees made up 30% of the city's trees, and efforts have been ongoing since then to move towards a "more diverse and resilient" urban forest. In parallel, other species, such as elm and melia, have increased their presence in Barcelona's green infrastructure. Melia, for example, has grown from 3% to 4.37% of the total tree count.
While the municipal strategy seeks to reduce dependence on a single species, the city council acknowledges that the plane tree remains an iconic part of the city's identity.
Sant Jordi Pollen Incident Prompts Action
The flowering plane trees became a major talking point during Sant Jordi in Barcelona and other cities like Mataró, Badalona, Santa Coloma de Gramenet, and Cornellà. On a day typically marked by book stalls, roses, and large crowds, pollen became a significant issue, leaving an unusual sight of pavements and roads covered in wind-blown plant fibres.
This situation was particularly bothersome for allergy sufferers, who experienced irritation, sneezing, and discomfort for much of the day. The wind helped spread the pollen across various parts of the city, prompting local councils to increase cleaning efforts the following day, deploying more blowers and sweeping machines to remove accumulations and lessen their effects on public spaces.
Moving forward, the city council will implement the Tree Master Plan, gradually replacing plane trees with a wider variety of species to enhance urban biodiversity and reduce environmental vulnerabilities.
