Did you know that the only “glass tree” in America is in Buenos Aires?

2024-01-25 -

It is a native of Oceania, is 150 years old and is located in one of the largest parks in the country. In the heart of the Pereyra Iraola park, located in the province of Buenos Aires, there is a “crystal tree” that, over the years, has become one of the main tourist attractions of the place.

This gigantic specimen, which surprises with the diameter of its trunk and its crown, full of branches, has survived in the same place for the last 150 years.
And, although science and technology advances, when this “crystal tree” dies, the species will likely disappear from the continent.
What is the history of the only “crystal tree” in Argentina?
The only “glass tree” in America arrived in this area of the province of Buenos Aires in the mid-1870s, when Leonardo Higinio Pereyra Iraola returned to the country after a trip through Oceania.
That is, the Argentine worked to plant 12 specimens of this species, officially known as “Agathis Alba”, which is native to the aforementioned continent and, until now, was not present in ours.
Unfortunately, of all those planted, two reached adulthood and only one survived to this day in this giant natural property shared by Berazategui, Ensenada, Florencio Varela and La Plata.

Why is it called “crystal tree”?

One of the doubts that has lasted the most over time, in relation to this strange species, is the reason for its name.
So, thanks to historical records, it was proven that the “crystal tree” is called this way because it produces a special resin, capable of shining at night, like a precious stone would.

How is this very particular species protected?

The only “glass tree” in America is so special that extensive measures have been taken to protect the gigantic specimen, which shares the landscape with 36% of the superior plant species in Buenos Aires.
That is, the area where it is proposed receives permanent police surveillance. And, furthermore, its protection increased since it was declared a Natural Monument of the Province of Buenos Aires.
In any case, since the species cannot reproduce alone, it is likely that it will disappear from the continent when this single specimen dies.