A centuries-old tarumá tree at Caballero Park will soon receive protected status as part of a municipal conservation initiative. The Municipality of Asunción announced plans to preserve the landmark for its historical and environmental significance while carrying out a wider assessment of the park’s trees.
The announcement followed a technical inspection by the Tree Unit of the General Directorate of Environmental Management, accompanied by specialists from the Ministry of Public Works and Communications (MOPC). The team evaluated the health of the park’s trees, with particular attention given to the towering tarumá.
Century-old landmark
According to Director General of Environmental Management Máximo Barreto, the tree has a trunk measuring more than five metres in circumference. Although specialists will conduct further studies to determine its precise age, officials believe the specimen is well over 100 years old.
“We want to preserve this tree because of everything it represents for Caballero Park and turn it into a true natural heritage site and tourist attraction for the city,” Barreto says.
The municipality plans to install a protective fence around the tree to prevent damage. An information board will also be added, identifying the species, explaining its history, and displaying its estimated age. During the inspection, officials found a large natural hollow in the trunk, where cardboard had been used as makeshift bedding. They also discovered signs that someone had previously attempted to burn the tree, a practice specialists warned can cause severe and lasting damage.
Wider conservation efforts
The Tarumá tree at Caballero Park will undergo phytosanitary treatment to improve its condition and help extend its lifespan. Officials say most of the trees near the park’s main entrance can also be preserved through sanitary pruning and targeted treatments. Only four or five trees were found to be beyond recovery and considered a risk to visitors. Their removal will follow current legislation, which requires the planting of ten new trees for every tree removed.
Although a complete tree census has not yet been carried out, municipal estimates suggest the park contains more than 2,000 trees. This makes Caballero Park one of Asunción’s largest and most important urban green spaces, highlighting the significance of ongoing efforts to preserve its biodiversity for future generations.
Also read: Major Revitalisation Project Begins At Asunción’s Historic Caballero Park.
