Can you believe that this Arce Plateado de los Jardines de Cecilio Rodríguez is officially protected? It is a singular tree within the Community of Madrid. This Arce Plateado de los Jardines de Cecilio Rodríguez stands proudly in a special part of Retiro Park. Let’s uncover its story.
This area where the Arce Plateado de los Jardines de Cecilio Rodríguez lives was transformed between 1940 and 1950. However plans were made earlier, as far back as 1929. The idea was to extend the Casa de Fieras. It is near the Gaviota fountain.
The Arce Plateado de los Jardines de Cecilio Rodríguez towers twenty meters high. Its crown spreads wide like other maples reaching fifteen and a half meters. Unusually its trunk splits into four main sections close to the ground.
These trees usually grow 20 to 30 meters tall. Some even reach 40 meters. The bark is smooth and grey when young. It peels off in scales as it ages. The leaves have five deep lobes. They measure 8 to 16 cm long and 6 to 12 cm wide. Small flowers bloom in early spring before the leaves appear.
Did you know that the Arce Plateado is also called Acer saccharinum L.? Other names include sugar maple and white American maple. It is native to the eastern United States and southeastern Canada. This tree grows relatively quickly. You will often find it near waterways and wetlands. It is one of the most common trees in the United States. It adapts well but needs more sunlight than other maples.
The law protects natural heritage and biodiversity. The Listado de Especies Silvestres en Régimen de Protección Especial includes plants needing special care. This list leads to the Catálogo Español de Especies Amenazadas. This is where threatened species are listed.
Madrid has its own law. It protects wild flora and fauna and lists singular trees like our Arce Plateado de los Jardines de Cecilio Rodríguez.
Interestingly the specific name saccharinum suggests sugar production. Carl Linnaeus confused this tree with Acer saccharum. Acer saccharum is the real sugar maple from North America.
You can find this Arce Plateado de los Jardines de Cecilio Rodríguez along Senda Botánica 5. This route runs through the Jardines de Cecilio Rodríguez and Jardines de Herrero Palacios. Cecilio Rodríguez was the head gardener of El Retiro. He designed these gardens in the 1940s. They were intended for official events. The gardens show the influence of Jean Nicolas Forestier. He designed the Jardines de María Luisa in Seville. Rodríguez combined styles creating an Andalusian feel.
This Arce Plateado is one of only six trees in El Retiro listed as “unique trees of Madrid”. Its leaves have five distinct lobes with jagged edges. The underside is silver hence its name. The tree flowers in March and April. Its fruits germinate in May and June. The fruits are two-winged samaras that spin in the wind spreading seeds far and wide.
The sap of the Arce Plateado can be used to make maple syrup. The sweet syrup is a North American treat. Since 1725 these trees have been popular in English gardens.
Actually there are only two Arce Plateado trees in El Retiro. Both are within these Jardines de Cecilio Rodríguez. You can also spot a few in Calle Ferraz and Parque Juan Carlos I.
Take a moment to appreciate this magnificent Arce Plateado de los Jardines de Cecilio Rodríguez. Its history stretches across continents and centuries. Its beauty enhances these gardens. Remember its protected status and its unique place in Madrid’s natural heritage.