Santa Lucia church loses its majestic shade tree

Often photographed, the lush flowering tree had shaded sidewalk for decades

Santa Lucia church lost its great saman tree on Sunday after several rain storms apparently weakened its branches. Photos: Wikipedia, Whatsapp

Merida, Yucatan — Heavy rains have toppled a majestic flowering tree that had graced Santa Lucia church for decades.

The crash came after several rain storms apparently weakened the aging tree’s branches.

“This is a great tragedy,” said a local man who had admired the lush foliage, which had framed the historic church’s entrance and shaded the walkway out front.

The saman, also known as a rain or monkey pod tree, is a native to Central and South America. A number of flamboyanes, which native to Madagascar, also fell along the Paseo de Montejo.

Local police blocked off the area while fire and parks crews cleared branches from Calle 60, near 55, after the tree toppled around 4:40 p.m. Sunday. No injuries were reported.

The plastered wall that surrounds Church of Santa Lucia, as well as part of its facade, was slightly damaged.

Sources: ACOM, social media

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