Widescale tree felling in Madrid has sparked growing objections from the City Council, drawing commentary even from the central government. The Ecological Transition Minister highlighted that protecting trees matters as heat waves and drought intensify due to climate change. Environmental and neighborhood groups had opposed the measure, warning it would deepen Madrid’s already extreme summer heat.
Teresa Ribera, the third vice president of the government and minister overseeing ecological transition and demographic challenges, criticized Madrid City Council for cutting trees and what she described as aggressive trimming of urban trees.
“Extremely worrying is the light treatment of mature city trees”, the minister posted on X this Monday.
In this context, Ribera warned that few scenarios end in successful transfers of trees. She noted that decisions around aggressive cutting and pruning should be justified with care, pointing to several long‑term growth examples following transfers.
Consequently, the third vice president sent a letter to Madrid’s mayor, a document accessed by the press. The message urged a pause on tree cutting on grounds of protecting the city’s natural heritage and guarding against climate risks affecting residents’ well being.
The importance of trees in cities
Ribera urged a pause and a careful reassessment aligned with ecological conservation and ecosystem restoration principles and the priorities of the European Green Deal.
In the missive, Ribera expressed concerns about the City Council’s plans to fell urban trees in Madrid. She stressed that urban and peri-urban trees, along with green spaces, support biodiversity and environmental health, and they have a direct impact on human well being and quality of life for residents.
The minister reminded that trees remove CO2 from the atmosphere, store carbon, and help mitigate climate impacts on the urban environment. They reduce the urban heat island effect and lessen extreme hydrometeorological events.
They also contribute to more livable, accessible, and healthy public spaces and support sustainable transport modes like walking and cycling. Trees and green spaces often define the character of nearby communities.
Madrid regulations
Under the authority to regulate urban green assets, the Community of Madrid emphasizes Law No. 8/2005 on protecting and developing urban trees. The law calls for careful authorization to guard against aggressive actions and to avoid unnecessary tree loss. The aim is to treat tree care as a last resort rather than a quick fix.
If trees require repair or are affected by infrastructure projects at the urban forest edge, the Urban Tree Protection Law applies. The mayor noted that transplanting affected specimens often yields poor viability.
Logging should be shown as the only viable option before proceeding, and it should allow for a new tree of the same species to be planted for each tree removed.
Minister of Culture calls for an end to tree cutting
In a related note, Culture Minister Ernest Urtasun urged Madrid’s mayor and the regional president to halt forest logging. Afforestation is planned during the expansion of metro line 11 within the boundaries of a UNESCO World Heritage area identified as Paseo del Prado and Buen Retiro.
The Ministry of Culture confirmed that after becoming aware of the issue, the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage and Fine Arts contacted Madrid City Council and the Community of Madrid in October to request information.
He reminded both institutions that studies affecting the Outstanding Universal Value of a World Heritage property require a Patrimonial Impact Assessment. Once the assessment is completed, the Ministry shares the evaluation with UNESCO.
City Council justification
Mayor José Luis Martínez-Almeida defended the actions, noting that some infrastructure projects in the capital are necessary, similar to metro expansion works.
He also criticized the central government for what he described as extensive logging. The mayor argued there are no valid political lines for tree cutting and accused the central government of applying double standards. He noted that left‑leaning administrations have also cut trees without major criticism.
Martínez-Almeida recalled that Madrid was declared a Tree City of the World for the fourth time in international communications and criticized the national leadership for cutting a large number of trees during a recent metro project.
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Contact information for the environmental department was reported in the press as an official channel.