SUCCESS CASES

La Olivera de Cort: technology and sensibility at the service of a Palma’s symbol

Andrés Septién | October 15, 2025

• Arboriculture
• 5 min.

In the heart of Palma de Mallorca, in front of the historic City Hall building, grows a living jewel: the Olivera de Cort, a monumental olive tree of sculptural bearing that, because of its age, size and cultural value, is listed as a Singular Tree. Its twisted silhouette and imposing presence are an essential part of the city’s identity.

In order to guarantee the conservation and safety of this specimen, the Palma City Council commissioned Tecnigral to carry out an advanced study to evaluate the root system and the biomechanical and physiological state of the tree. The work was carried out by our arboriculture team, made up of VETcert certified technicians, specialized in the management and conservation of veteran trees.

For this purpose, Tecnigral used a unique technology in the sector in Spain: the TreeRadar Unit (TRU), a georadar specifically designed for root detection. This equipment, which Tecnigral owns, allows to obtain an accurate image of the subsoil without excavating or causing alterations. Unlike other commercial georadar units, the TRU is able to identify live roots with diameters from one centimeter and to represent their density and depth in three dimensions.

Olivera de Cort. Town hall square of Palma de Mallorca

The study of the Olivera de Cort allowed mapping the complete root system of the tree, detecting the distribution and density of the roots to a depth of 70 centimeters. The results confirmed that the olive tree maintains a stable and well-adapted root system, concentrated in the first 40 centimeters of the soil. Based on this analysis, Tecnigral developed a plan of recommendations to improve the protection of the tree and minimize the risk of compaction or mechanical damage to its environment.

Following the conclusions of the report, the City Council of Palma undertook several conservation actions: the installation of a perimeter fence to prevent traffic on the root zone and the enlargement of the alcorque, increasing the permeable surface and soil aeration. Rejuvenation pruning and preventive phytosanitary treatments against pests such as cochineal were also carried out, reinforcing the vitality of the tree.