What is the Guernica tree?

Sometimes, almost by chance, there are plants that become symbols of humans. That was (and is) the case of an oak tree in the Basque Country (Spain), specifically in the Biscayan town of Guernica and Luno.

El Guernica tree, as it is called, is as important to both Vizcaya and the Basques, as it symbolizes the traditional freedoms of the Basque population. But, What is the history of this plant?

The trunk of the »Old Tree», protected by a temple in Vizcaya.

It all started when the Señorío was integrated into the Kingdom of Castile. In the Casa de Juntas de Guernica there is a painting by the Alava painter Francisco de Mendieta y Retes (XNUMXth century) in which Fernando the Catholic is shown swearing under the tree the Vizcaya Jurisdictions. This act has remained the custom to this day. In fact, each new lehendakari is sworn in in the same place that King Francis did in his time. Now, oaks can live for many years; However, according to tradition it is believed that the Guernica born in 1334 and died in 1881. It was the first, and they called it "Father Tree."

What does this mean? Well, very simple: there was more. The "Old Tree" was planted in 1742, and died in 1892, the year in which a temple was put up for display.

The "Son Tree" was planted shortly after, and the poor plant had no choice but to witness the bombing of Guernica in April 1937, and was about to be cut off by the Falangists because they considered it a nationalist symbol. Fortunately, the then captain of the Tercio de Begoña, Jaime del Burgo Torres, ordered a squad of armed requetés to be formed that surrounded the tree and prevented it from being damaged. In 2004 it died as a result of the Armillaria mellea fungus, and was replaced by one of its offspring, which was born in 1986.

Monument to Juan de Garay in Buenos Aires (Argentina)

But it is not the only successor: in Buenos Aires (Argentina) for example, a sapling of the original tree was planted next to the statue of Juan de Garay, in front of the Government house of that country. And here in Spain there are several more; in fact, behind the temple that protects the trunk of the Guernica tree, one that was planted on February 3, 1979 is growing.

So now you know: if you go to Vizcaya or Buenos Aires, do not hesitate to go to see a tree with history. 🙂