Cypress trees resist fires thanks to their leaves that retain water (photo)

MEDITERRANEAN CYPRESS –

The miracle of the Mediterranean cypress. It doesn't burn, is not exposed to the same fire risks as holm oaks, pines, and juniper. Until now, we knew about this particular resistance of a tree that has become precious to our forests, but we couldn't understand the reasons. Now, thanks to a couple of botanists, Italian Gianni Della Rocca and Spanish Bernabe Moya, finally the mystery is solved.

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It all starts in the summer of 2012 when in Spain, in the area of andilla in the province of Valencia, they go 20 hectares of forest on fireHolm oaks, pines, and junipers: all on fire. From hell. only a patch of Mediterranean cypresses remains which remain intact despite the fury of the flames. The two botanists begin studying the phenomenon and analyze the plants saved from the disaster in the laboratory.

From the tests in Spain we arrive at the truth and the three causes which make cypresses resistant even to the worst fires. The first concerns the characteristic of their leaves: they have some substances that allow water to be retained and can thus protect themselves even in the event of a fire. Secondly, the tapered shape of the crown of Mediterranean cypresses ensures that leaves do not accumulate between the branches: a sort of prevention, in case of fire, as it thus reduces the sources of fire spread. Finally, leaves cypress trees often fall and they form a carpet at the base of the plants which protects the trees from the fire.

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The discovery is very important because in a planet that has 3 trillion trees to protect, where in some areas (think of the regions of Southern Italy during the summer) the risk of fires is very high, cypress trees could represent a turning point in terms of environmental protection. That is, they would be a natural barrier to be planted at the entrance to the forests most exposed to the risk of firesA precious barrier to prevent damage and devastation.

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