Buenos Aires: 'The Spitting Tree' And Foul Pavements

We were standing in a Buenos Aires park on a sunny, cloudless day in early summer when a drop of water landed on my head.

I looked up but could only see the lush green leaves of the tree above me. On the ground, though, I could see spots of water. Seconds later I felt another drop and then another...

This is a little prank played by a tree, which we dubbed 'The Spitting Tree'. It is, in fact, called a Tipa Tree. It is native to Argentina and we have seen them all over Buenos Aires, especially along the large boulevards, in parks and throughout the Palermo district, where trees line all the streets. They are also in Montevideo.

Tipa trees (apparently known as Rosewood, Tipu and Tipuana Trees, too) are stunning. The branches weave into the sky and form almost a roof along the roads. They can grow as high as 100ft and be as wide as 60ft.

What's interesting is that the trees have powerful roots and can even crack concrete, which makes one wonder why French-born Sr Carlos Thays, a landscape artist who in 1891 became the director of the city's Parks and Walkways, chose this particular tree to decorate much of Buenos Aires' pavements (sidewalks).

Somehow, though, the trees haven't caused too much damage. You see the pavement lifted in parts. But that's the extent of the problem.

Much more of a concern is dog poop. Argentines are dog-lovers and in Buenos Aires they foul the streets everywhere. Don't spend too long admiring the trees, walking with your head up, or else you're likely to step in some.

Comments

[Francis & Christine Davis]

Oh shit, be careful !!.

[Bill M]

In the right circumstances, most broadleaf trees will drip on you. They aspirate moisture, much of which is driven to the ends of the branches by capillary pressure; and then, they'll drip dew (and lucky for you, not doo), too.

And, while it's true that if you walk with your head up, you might stub your toe or step in crap or fall into a hole, etc., if you don't look up (you could always stop), you'll see more crap and cracks and holes, but less treetops and sky.

[Jamie]

Christine & Francis, Hahaha!!!

Bill, I was wondering how they actually got the spit to dew the job! But, interestingly the leaves look quite delicate, not broad like a maple or oak.