The Dragon Tree of Icod, the most famous and most visited forest giant

The Drago of Icod, also known as the Drago Milenario, how old is it really? What kind of attention does such a botanical gem receive? Is it even still alive?

The name established by Domenico Vandelli in 1767, when he named the botanical genus Dracaena, is to say the least suggestive. The inspiration of this Italian naturalist to associate this plant with the supernatural world is based on the specific structural form of the dragon tree, which assimilates this architecture with monsters having multiple heads. Vandelli drew nothing else but the Roman tradition of the Garden of the Hesperides, but he also succeeded in conveying the mythological and primitive appearance of dragons onto this type of plant. Dracaena Draco enhances, if possible, this aura by judging such a fantastic being both as a genus and as a species.

In a technical collection of "Trees of the Canary Islands," the most classic among the classics could not be missing. Here we are dealing with the most renowned specimen of this amazing flora. However, the fame of the Drago de Icod de los Vinos (28º 21´ 59 ″ N and 16º 43´ 20 W) on Tenerife sharply contrasts with the true conservation status of the species. Despite its ease of reproduction, the Dracaena Draco is increasingly rare in the wild. It is even more common in neighboring Morocco, although it is classified as a subspecies there. The unique biology of dragon blood trees – in which “flowering-fruiting branching” does not occur every year – is a characteristic that does not help the species’ survival.

Born in the wild

It is more than likely that the largest known giants of Dracaena Draco were born in the wild and then gradually incorporated into civilization. We refer to the specimen of Icod and that of the Jardin de Franchy. It is said, although there is no irrefutable evidence, that the one in the Jardin de Franchy in La Orotava was broader and slightly taller. At this moment, it is not possible to establish these comparisons, as the one in La Orotava fell in 1867. A piece of bark is still preserved in the display cases of the Kew Botanical Garden (London). Both trees had different sizes; the one in Icod is symmetrical and harmonious in shape, while the one in the Jardin de Franchy eventually had an uneven crown, possibly due to fighting the wind.

The Drago de Icod was born at the edge of the ravine known as El Río and is currently sheltered from the wind by the houses of the "City of the Drago." According to Juan Manuel Luis, a municipal technician who takes care of it, it is the church of San Marcos that protects it from the most unwanted wind.

The Drago de Icod de los Vinos is the largest "Dragon of the Canary Islands." It clearly defies gravity with its enormous size and crown. The base, with a circumference of 20-25 meters, acts as a counterweight. Then it narrows to a single trunk, and at eight meters it begins to divide. First into eight branches, then exponentially and with the randomness of nature, until it reaches a total height of 21 meters with its 25 flowering branches.

Archaic and primitive appearance

The first branches are of large caliber. At their base, there are several aerial roots hanging down or converging on the main trunk. These give the specimen a notorious showiness, giving it a truly archaic and primitive aspect.

The weight of the flowering, with more than 1,500 flowering branches (about 450,000 seeds), is estimated at three and a half tons.

Returning to its flowering branches, there are multiple years in which it blooms partially. For example, in 2015 it bloomed in the southern sector, while the last flowering considered complete was in 2012. Full flowering occurs in relatively short cycles, even under five years. The weight of the flowering, with more than 1,500 flowering branches – and about 450,000 seeds – is estimated at three and a half tons.

Around the 1930s, the tree had serious problems. The Drago was municipal property and was reconstructed with cement. At that time, the Dragon Blood Tree had lost several basal roots. Moreover, it had large “wounds” or cavities covered with stones. This operation was led by a Basque botanist. In 1985, very important actions were undertaken by the nurseryman K. Allen and on municipal initiative:

• the cement walls were broken, and
• stones were removed to access the cavity of the trunk.

The intention was to clean and clear the cavity. Moreover, it was to prevent the spread of more diseases and pests. While clearing debris, even shoes were found in the cavities of the trunk!

This interior space, more than 4 meters high, is so large that five standing adults can fit inside. Sensors and humidity and temperature controllers have been installed. Some cavities are covered with mesh to guide the roots and rebuild the outer trunk. The entrance to the central hole is open. But, because it is on the north side of the tree, it coincides with the part most hidden from visitors.

A little over a year ago, the television channel Discovery Max announced that the dragon blood tree was dying because of the existence of the cavity...

In 2015, the prestigious television channel Discovery Max announced that the dragon blood tree was on the brink of death due to the existence of the cavity. One might think that the existence of this cavity responds to rather artificial causes. The cavity was even used as a goat pen. It is known that the dragon blood tree in the Jardin de Franchy was also hollow. As well as the magnificent dragon blood tree of Siete Fuentes (Los Realejos, Tenerife).

Fibrous and spongy tissue

In the plant world, many hardwood species hollow out the oldest part of the main trunk as they age. Conifer species do this to a lesser extent. Their wood is impregnated with resin, which protects them better against rot and provides better stability. The case of the dragon tree is somewhat more specific. Although it is a hardwood, it does not produce wood itself but rather a fibrous and spongy tissue. This tissue has a greater or lesser degree of hardness depending on its specific physiological makeup. Moreover, the dragon blood tree covers itself with new layers or bark. These layers go from top to bottom. This process of metamorphosis and rejuvenation is so slow that we cannot perceive it with our own eyes.

Stability studies carried out in 1995 (University of Stuttgart) and a dielectric test performed in 2011 (Higher Council for Scientific Research, CSIC) still predict a lot of stability and health. A dielectric test is a type of test to detect living and dead parts.

The environment of this plant wonder has undergone many transformations. The warmth-loving environment was deforested, became farmland, and was even pasture. Later it became part of a banana plantation. Its first protection was a stone wall. Then a low fence, which joined the road that ran too close to the base until 1993. Unfortunately, the roots were seriously damaged by the road. Moreover, the dragon blood tree was too accessible and was sometimes the victim of vandalism. These were the worst years for our great friend.

The “Drago Park project” was already mentioned in the 1940s but only really took shape in the late 1990s. The Drago House Museum has been under construction for several years and aims to become the visitor center for this and other dragon blood trees worldwide.

The Drago de Icod de los Vinos has had a committee of expert advisors since 1993, representing the most prestigious institutions. The technician who has the daily honor of ensuring the health of this specimen is Juan Manuel Luis. Juan Luis says the intention is to gradually remove the remaining pieces of cement. To prevent our loyal green friend from trauma, this must not be done too drastically. He also says the biggest problem is that there are no other experiences or references to compare with. He thinks it would be very useful to have a digital replica. This replica should be so faithful and realistic to especially test static tests.

Controversy over its age

It is true that there is some controversy over its age. The degree of disagreement is such that the scientific community is divided. One group of experts, which forms the majority, estimates the age at 650 years. They base their conclusion on the theory of flowering times. Another group believes the age is close to 2,000 years. They support their conclusion with the measurement theory of trunk roots.

It is hard to believe that this magical presence is not at least a thousand years old. It is troubling that the Canary Islands scientists themselves are the ones lowering the age of the tree. In any case, the Drago de Icod de los Vinos will remain ... the thousand-year-old Draco. This is a name more than deserved by its appearance and who knows if also by its age. What is certain is that this mythological being is the most massive of its kind. It is rightly the most famous "forest beast" and is visited and admired by locals and strangers from all corners of the world.

Voir l'article entier