Assessment of monumentality of urban trees in Mexico

Abstract

The evaluation of monumental trees is an important activity to promote their preservation. Based on the reviewed literature, there is currently no clear and enough legislation in Mexico to provide protection for them. The objective of this research was to evaluate the monumentality of some of the most iconic urban trees in the Mexican territory, which are located in different states. The specimens evaluated were El Tule, El Sabino, El Ahuehuete, La Higuera, El Baobab, El Ginkgo and El Árbol de los Acuerdos. Five criteria were defined for the evaluation: tree size, conservation status, cultural importance, landscape importance and rarity. The establishment of the criteria was based on known methodologies used in the valuation of the trees. The PROMETHEE II method was used to determine monumentality. The results of the study indicated that El Tule, located in the state of Oaxaca, and El Árbol de los Acuerdos, in the State of Mexico, have particular characteristics that stand out from the rest of the individuals considered in the study. The first one was graded with the greatest monumentality, based upon the highest preferences from its own attributes.