Tejo del Palacio de Velázquez del Retiro, Protected yew tree next to Velázquez Palace in El Retiro Park, Spain.
The Tejo del Palacio de Velázquez del Retiro is an ancient yew tree growing next to Velázquez Palace in El Retiro Park in Madrid. The tree has three independent trunks and is surrounded by a wooden fence that protects its roots.
The tree has grown beside Velázquez Palace since its construction in 1883. It has survived numerous transformations in the surrounding landscape and remains a living witness to the park's history.
The yew holds deep meaning in Spanish tradition, particularly in northern regions where communities gathered beneath such trees for ceremonies and agreements. Visitors can sense this cultural connection when standing beneath this ancient tree's shelter today.
The tree is easy to find next to Velázquez Palace in the Retiro Park and can be viewed from outside its protective fence. It is best to visit early in the day when fewer people are in the park and the tree is more visible.
The tree grows in an unusual formation with three separate trunks that together create a wide crown. This particular structure is the result of natural growth over more than a century and makes it a botanical rarity in the park.
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