Why Axarquia street trees look stripped bare in August – Palm pruning race on in Rincon de la Victoria

August and September bring more than heat to Axarquia and the Costa Tropical. Street trees lose almost every branch, leaving little more than trunks and offering next to no shade. Locals grumble at the sudden naked tree look, yet the timing follows a clear pattern driven by rapid growth and public safety.

Bright summer months plus plentiful groundwater under the roots push trees into their fastest growth phase of the year. Public specimens need a hard cut-back so new branches form properly and heavy limbs do not drop onto pavements or cars. Branches grow back quickly and fill out again before the autumn rains and cooler weather arrive. Certain spots further along the Costa del Sol leave trees too long between trims, which leads to broken limbs and fewer flowers on species such as jacarandas when they should be at their best.

Palm campaign reaches two-thirds in Rincon

Similar work is well under way on the palms that line Rincon de la Victoria. Teams have already finished roughly two-thirds of the current campaign. Work started on the seafront promenades, moved to Avenida de la Candelaria and has now completed the core of La Cala del Moral. Crews continue through the rest of the municipality in stages.

Two teams of four operatives each handle the job. They use an 18-metre elevating platform, a cherry picker and a crane lorry to clear the cuttings. Trunks receive a thorough clean, and the summer fruit clusters are removed so they do not drop onto pavements or outdoor terraces of bars and restaurants. All plant material goes to an authorised centre for proper disposal.

Technical rules keep trees strong

Operations follow technical criteria set out in the municipal tree plan. Proper structure is kept so the palms stay healthy and safe for both residents and visitors walking the streets. Once the main pruning finishes, regular maintenance carries on through the rest of the year to keep every green area in good order.

Local people who miss the shade can take comfort that the bare trunks will not stay bare for long. New growth arrives fast under the same summer conditions that made the hard cut necessary in the first place. Regular trimming prevents the hazards that appear when trees are left to grow unchecked.

Readers interested in earlier green-space work in the same town can look at previous coverage of urban tree care and the pine processionary caterpillar campaign. Similar resident debates about heavy pruning have also appeared in Torremolinos. For the official municipal tree plan itself, see the town hall’s sustainability pages.