Faya of Monte de Aguirre

Santa Cruz de Tenerife · Category: Leisure · Subcategory: Singular trees

This impressive faya specimen ( Myrica faya ) over 15 metres tall and almost 5 in circumference is located in the heart of the Anaga Rural Park, about 685 metres above sea level, in the area known as Monte de Aguirre.

The faya is a fairly common tree due to its abundance and timber use. Its height varies, and it can reach large sizes as in this case. They are easily recognised by their dense dark green foliage, with small lanceolate leaves with serrated edges. The trunks are twisted and have very rough bark. Together with the heather, they form huge forest masses known as monteverde or fayal-brezal.

The specimen of Monte de Aguirre is considered one of the most significant in the entire Anaga area. Some forest ranger has even called this faya "the patroness of the trees of the area". At the base of its spectacular main trunk (it has a large lateral sucker and four smaller ones), a good specimen of a shelf-shaped lignicolous fungus can be observed.

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