In Aruba, there is limited protection of exceptional or old trees. There are legal protections for plant and animal species native to Aruba with the “Natuurbeschermingsverordening“. There is a short list of 48 protected plants in the “Landsbesluit bescherming inheemse flora en fauna“, including bushes and trees, whilst many unique monumental trees of cultural significance remain unrecognised and unprotected.

SENTINELS OF ARUBA

What makes a tree a monumental tree?
A monumental tree is not merely appreciated for its
size, age or species type. It can also be:

• A tree with ecological importance; e.g. carbon sequestration or nesting area for birds
• A tree tied to a cultural or historical story;
• The role within our natural and urban landscape; serving as markers within a space and shaping how we move within an environment.

We cannot replace old, large trees by planting new ones. Old trees host so much life, they provide precious ecosystem services, which take decades for a new young tree to develop. It is high time we start protecting our old and large trees better.

We think Aruba urgently needs an official tree-register for monumental, old, big or historically important trees. Every large tree deserves protection from uncontrolled cutting or even from unprofessional pruning.

So, we ask you: Which special trees in Aruba
deserve extra protection? Post a photo of your
favourite tree in the comments on our Facebook
page and share why it’s meaningful to you. We are
also available via WhatsApp.

Let’s use grassroots action to document our
monumental trees.