Compiled with the help of artificial intelligence, based on Spanish-language information. Source below the article.
Court action over felling in La Salud
The environmental association Los Árboles Hablan will ask the Administrative Court of Santa Cruz de Tenerife on Monday for the immediate suspension of tree felling in the La Salud neighbourhood, and has warned that it is not ruling out criminal action.
The group said in a written statement that felling of trees around Plaza de San Gerardo in La Salud began on Thursday afternoon, as part of the municipal project to demolish the church of San Gerardo and rehabilitate its surroundings. According to the association, around six trees have already been felled and some 14 of those affected by the project remain standing.
Claims of breach of Canary Islands law
The association complains that the Canary Islands law on the protection of urban trees is being breached and has formally requested the mayor to halt the felling immediately, without ruling out criminal action.
It adds that there is “a clear contradiction” in the project, since its report states that “the large trees existing in the Plaza will be maintained”. However, it says, the gardening annexe includes a chapter on “felling, pruning and clearing”, with the felling of flamboyant and jacaranda trees, stump removal and a budget line for chipping and removing plant debris.
The association recalls that the Law on the protection of urban trees and trees of special protection in the Canary Islands has been in force since December 2025, a regional regulation that prohibits the felling of urban trees as a general rule. It also requires a mandatory technical report justifying any felling and a prior study of alternatives guaranteeing the conservation of the trees. However, in the file relating to Plaza de San Gerardo “neither the report nor the study of alternatives is on record, and the municipal agreement that approved the project does not even mention the law”, it states.
Car park described as “provisional”
The association points out that what is planned for the plot where the trees stand is a car park that the council itself describes as “provisional”. It says it has demonstrated the existence of several alternative sites in the same neighbourhood where the car park could be located without felling a single tree. These include an abandoned municipal sports court on Calle Bartolomé Cifra, two plots on Calle Guanarteme and Calle Cornisa already used as car parks, and two larger plots on Barranco Molina and Calle José Luis de Miranda.
These alternatives were put to the council in August and September, with no response on record.
Request for immediate suspension
In light of the situation, the association plans to ask the Administrative Court of Santa Cruz de Tenerife on Monday for an extremely urgent interim measure suspending immediately all felling, tree removal, stump removal, drastic pruning or transplanting of trees. The request will be submitted within the proceedings the association already has under way against the governing board agreement of 27 April 2026, which approved the modified project for the Demolition of the Church of San Gerardo and the rehabilitation of its surroundings, Phase 1.
In addition, on Saturday the association sent a letter to the mayor of Santa Cruz de Tenerife informing him of these events and requesting that he order the immediate cessation of the felling and provide the technical report and study of alternatives required by law. The association warns that it is not ruling out criminal action.
“We are not against improving La Salud or against the neighbourhood having a car park. We are against it being done in breach of the law and at the expense of the neighbourhood’s only trees, when there are other options. No court ruling will bring back what is felled,” the organisation says.
What’s happening in the Canaries – straight to your phone
News, weather alerts and practical updates – direct from the islands, in English. We live here and know what’s going on – before the international media catch up. Everything lands on our WhatsApp channel – no middlemen, no algorithm. Curated for families, expats and travelers.
Canary Islands sea hits second-hottest year on record
Fiesta del Charco: A journey through La Aldea’s past
Corralejo dunes power line set for removal
ULPGC launches 14 research projects at Las Canteras
TMT will never be built, says Canary Islands astrophysics chief
Pedro Duque: Canarias is the “ultimate dream” for rockets
Court blow to Tenerife motor circuit project
La Palma faces new volcanic risk planning deadline
Fuerteventura launches campaign to rescue young shearwaters
