Sawt Falasteen - Residents defend Spain’s ancient 'El Abuelo' tree from flames

Estimated to be more than 500 years old, El Abuelo -- "The Grandfather" -- is the best-known tree in an ancient chestnut woodland inside the Valle de Iruelas Nature Reserve in the central province of Avila.

It was also caught up in the recent wildfires that destroyed around 77,000 hectares of land and forced the evacuation of tens of thousands of people before the blazes were contained this week.

With a height of around 25 metres (82 feet) and a trunk circumference of more than 15 metres, it is among Spain’s most impressive examples of an ancient tree.

"The chestnut forest is the emblem of El Tiemblo. You cannot understand this town without it. It is like our heart," Jose Carlos, a 50-year-old quality control technician who lives in El Tiemblo told AFP.

Its hollow trunk is large enough to have sheltered animals, while its twisted branches and multiple trunks give the tree an almost sculptural appearance.

With firefighters focused on protecting built-up areas as flames swept through forests surrounding El Tiemblo, dozens of residents formed an improvised line of defence to stop the wildfire reaching the ancient chestnut forest where El Abuelo stands.

"We brought our own hoes, rakes and vehicles. Some people even brought heavy machinery," Javier Garcia, a 67-year-old retired laboratory worker, told AFP as he stood in front of El Abuelo, which emerged unscathed from the wildfire.

Garcia said he spent four days helping defend the chestnut grove, arriving early each morning and working until sunset.

He estimated that around 120 local residents joined the effort, while other volunteers prepared food for those fighting the flames back in El Tiemblo, about 10 kilometres from El Abuelo.

"That's how it used to be. When there was a fire, the community would be called on, we would turn up and work together to fight it," Garcia said.

- 'Our greatest treasure' -

The flames stopped short of the chestnut forest but scorched the nearby pine woodland.

Smoke still rose from the blackened ground on Thursday. Three horses grazed on a small patch of unburned grass as a water-dropping helicopter flew overhead. Crews worked to prevent the blaze from flaring up again.

The blaze — one of Spain's most severe wildfires in recent years — began on July 23 near the town of Burgohondo in Avila province and spread rapidly through dry vegetation, fanned by strong winds.

It forced evacuations and confinement orders across several communities including in El Tiemblo before being brought under control eight days later.

The ancient chestnut grove was saved "thanks above all to the locals, who devoted their experience, courage, energy and time -- putting their hearts and souls into the effort," El Tiemblo mayor Arturo Varas told AFP, calling El Abuelo "the symbol" of the town.

The mayor said local people’s knowledge of the terrain proved crucial.

"They know where to go and where not to go, and in this case they found the best way to save our chestnut tree, which is our greatest treasure," he said, standing outside El Tiemblo's town hall.

- 'Very proud' -

The volunteers came from all generations, Varas said, including elderly residents who made their way through the steep forest to help protect the tree.

"They all wanted to go because when you are faced with a disaster like this, everyone wants to help and reach the area as quickly as possible to prevent further damage."

The chestnut forest where El Abuelo stands is a top tourist draw in the area, especially in autumn when the leaves turn orange and gold.

"I feel very proud of the people in my town who stepped up and were there," Carlos, the technician who lives in El Tiemblo, told AFP.

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R.Halabi--SF-PST