Capdepera launches comprehensive plan to refresh its tree stock

Capdepera takes a close look at its trees

Last week I drove past the Castell de Capdepera early in the morning — cold air, a light mist over the fields, and workers with measuring tapes and tablets everywhere. The municipality has launched a large-scale greening plan: the goal is to systematically inspect, maintain and selectively reforest the stock of street and park trees.

What exactly is happening?

In an initial inventory, just under 3,000 trees were recorded. The results are concrete: around 80% are considered healthy, about 180 trees are to be removed in the long term, and just under 230 new trees will be replanted. It is estimated that the municipality's entire tree population produces almost 97 tonnes of oxygen annually — a figure that feels surprisingly tangible when you consider how many shade providers and ecological niches that represents.

Why now?

The municipality cites several reasons: first, safety — dead branches on streets and squares are a risk, especially after the severe storms in recent years. Secondly, it's about climate resilience: more shade for hot summer days, denser root zones to prevent erosion, and greater diversity for insects and birds. The plans feature familiar species: pines, olive trees, carob trees and some native shrubs, supplemented by sturdy street trees along heavily trafficked routes. Similar proposals to increase urban greenery appear elsewhere on the island, for example in Rethinking Portixol: Plaza, Parking Garage and More Green for Palma's Waterfront.

How will implementation proceed?

Work is to begin in phases from next spring. Municipal yard staff and contracted nurseries will coordinate the felling; there is a schedule for replanting — and there will be community days where volunteers can help out, as seen in Where is my tree? Pere Garau marks the gaps in urban greenery. A local association has offered to clean tree pits and take on watering sponsorships for the first two years. Sounds like classic village solidarity, and honestly: I like that.

The project is funded from the municipal budget, supplemented by grants from the island's environmental fund. The administration emphasizes that for every plane tree felled a new tree will be planted — provided the location allows it.

Will it all be perfect? Probably not. Streets will have to be closed, and some favorite trees may be removed. But when you walk through Capdepera in the morning and look at the squares, you notice: a little more green does us all good. I will follow the project — and maybe grab a shovel at the planting day.