Encina del Trillo

Hidden within Madrid’s sprawling Casa de Campo park, the Encina del Trillo whispers tales of centuries past. This grand Holm oak, Quercus ilex, stands as a silent witness to history. The Encina del Trillo has witnessed the changing fortunes of Madrid, its roots anchoring it firmly in the heart of the park. Its 16-meter height and wide, 18.5-meter crown command attention, a testament to its roughly 300 years of life. Its trunk, measuring a robust 4.6 meters in circumference, tells a story of resilience and survival. The Encina del Trillo earned its unusual name, “Holm oak of the Threshing Sledge,” from its sturdy form. This form made it ideal for crafting the timbers of a traditional threshing sledge. These sledges were once common tools in rural Spain. The tree’s location at the Glorieta del Trillo, where the Somosaguas, Paseo de los Castaños, and Rodajos roads meet, adds to its allure. It stands at the center of this crossroads, a focal point within the vast Casa de Campo. The Encina del Trillo gained wider fame thanks to King Alfonso XIII. During his hunting expeditions in the park, the king favored this tree as his lunchtime retreat. He would set up a tent beneath its branches, enjoying a meal before continuing the hunt. A dramatic incident in 1903 cemented the Encina del Trillo’s place in local lore. During one of the king’s lunches, a gunshot rang out. Two young women rushed to the king, proclaiming their innocence and that of their father. An elderly park guard explained the tragic accident. A shepherd, nicknamed “El Pardillo”, had found a cartridge and wanted to test it in the guard’s unloaded rifle. The rifle discharged, fatally wounding the shepherd. This incident, widely reported in the press, brought the Encina del Trillo into the public eye. The tree became a symbol of both the beauty and the hidden dangers of the Casa de Campo. From royal picnics to unfortunate accidents, the Encina del Trillo holds a unique place in Madrid’s history.