Report on the accident in the Parc de la Ciutadella in August

The investigation to clarify the causes of the accident in the Parc de la Ciutradella on 25 August concluded with the publication of the final report, compiled with evaluations from two independent labs. Based on the information collected, the conclusion is that the palm tree fell because of an internal split which could not be detected from the outside, caused by a recent episode of winds and a second gust on the day of the accident. The information also showed there were no external defects and that maintenance work and checks had been conducted according to the established time frames.

Modification of the tree risk management plan

All the trees in the city are checked my municipal technical teams every two years. The process includes checks on the trunk, leaves, roots and presence of fungi or infestations. The procedure includes two new criteria from now on: an instrumental analysis to check the trunk and detect internal anomalies, and an oscillation check to gauge flexibility. Any trees with anomalies are subject to a specialist risk assessment process to determine the measures to be adopted.

In line with this new procedure, all palm trees measuring over 5 metres high will be checked next year, some 2,026 trees in all.

Replacement of palm trees

Infestations by the red palm weevil accounted for the death of hundreds of palm trees between 2009 and 2014, to the point where no more date palms or Canary Island palms were planted as these species were particularly vulnerable to the infestations. The palm tree replacement plan was implemented in 2014 with the goal of gradually substituting at-risk species with other types of trees.