Picture from 1970

Article by José Carlos Alaniz

Every true Bear, at some point in their journey through ASF, came across the beautiful Palm Tree on the Upper School Blacktop. Perhaps, some among you played around it, perhaps some among you laid down next to it, perhaps some of you even hugged it.

Unfortunately, after a long life of more than 70 years, the Palm Tree has dehydrated up to 100% and there is no way to save it. It has now turned yellow and its leaves are falling. For this reason, an urban landscape company will be removing it during the Thanksgiving break.

Join us in this memorial of one of the oldest members of our Community and read below to learn more about the Palm Tree.

When did the Palm Tree sprout?

It was planted around 1946! 

What species is the Palm Tree?

• Common name: Canary Palm Tree,  Palmera canaria
• Scientific name: Phoenix canariensis

Did you know…?

Our palm tree used to be the center of a roundabout and also the site for generation pictures!

Why did the Palm Tree dehydrate?

When it was planted, there was sufficient space around it since it used to be in the center of a roundabout. Over time, constructions trapped it and some of its roots were damaged, which allowed pathogenic bacteria and fungi to enter its vascular system, causing roots to rot impeding water from moving up the leaves. 

At this time, its yellowing leaves attracted an aphid called Myndus crudus, which laid its eggs in the base of the leaves and its larvae fed on them and introduced another pathogenic agent which caused even more dehydration in the leaves. This disease lasted 2 to 4 months and the Palm Tree died from 3 to 6 months later.

What now?

After learning from the effects that development changes on our campus have had on the natural environment, we will take a more careful approach: a new tree species that is local and more ideal to climatic conditions will be planted once the Palm Tree is removed. We will also take this opportunity to share this lesson with our students, and teach them how urban development affects the environment.

Down memory lane… 

1950. Yearbook photo

Want to share your old pics under the Palm Tree? Send us an email to alumni@asf.edu.mx with the subject line “Palm Tree Memorial”. Remember to write your name, the year when the picture was taken, and the story behind the picture.

Join us in this goodbye memorial!