Hi! This is Santiago, one of the founders of Beyond BA Latam.
I live in Buenos Aires, and one of the things I like the most about this city is its urban forestation, both in the streets and the parks. Trees give shape, rhythm, and color to the city in ways that most visitors never expect — and they completely change the scenery depending on the time of the year.
Many visitors are familiar with the Jacaranda trees (Jacarandá, Jacaranda mimosifolia), bursting with purple blooms in late November, covering entire avenues like Avenida Sarmiento in Palermo with violet carpets. However, there are many other species — and actually, there’s a thoughtful plan behind it. Unfortunately, this plan covers mainly the northern and northwestern neighborhoods, rather than the whole city.
A City Planted with Intention
Before Buenos Aires became a city, this area was mostly covered by grasslands, and along the riverbanks there were trees such as Tala (Celtis tala) and Ceibo (Erythrina crista-galli).
More than three centuries after its foundation, when the city was already an important regional hub, the authorities decided to move forward with “green” policies — introducing trees along the sidewalks and designing new parks. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, visionary landscape architects such as Charles Thays (a Frenchman who became the city’s head of parks) and his successors designed urban spaces where nature played the leading role. They introduced species that could thrive in the local climate and bring seasonal color, turning half of Buenos Aires into what many call today an urban forest.
Some of the species are native to Argentina, while others were brought from abroad. President Domingo F. Sarmiento also contributed, promoting the planting of trees like the Palo Borracho (Ceiba speciosa) across the city. The Botanic Garden is a great place to learn about this topic!
The Tree Census of Buenos Aires
Today, there are more than 400,000 public trees in Buenos Aires, belonging to over 350 species. The city government has developed a detailed tree census. You can explore it on this interactive map:
Map of Trees in Buenos Aires.
Main Tree Species in Buenos Aires
- American Red Ash / Fresno Rojo Americano (Fraxinus pennsylvanica) – about 36% of sidewalks and 4% of parks are forested with this type. Known for its dark bark and brilliant yellow leaves in autumn. I used to have two Fresnos on the sidewalk of my house, and they bring me amazing autumn memories.
- Jacaranda / Jacarandá (Jacaranda mimosifolia) – about 4% of sidewalks and 6% of parks, painting the city purple-blue from late October to early December (mostly November). This tree is an icon, and children’s songwriter María Elena Walsh even composed a famous song about it! I love the views of the Jacarandas along Sarmiento Avenue, between Santa Fe and Libertador.
Jacaranda Trees
- Ficus (Ficus benjamina) – around 6%, with glossy leaves and thick, twisted roots.
- Linden / Tilo (Tilia × moltkei) – about 4% of sidewalks. In December, their flowers release a sweet, summery perfume that fills the air. If you’re walking around Palermo Chico, visit the small plazoleta behind the Instituto San Martiniano and sit on the bench beneath the big Tilo — it’s a peaceful moment!
- Chinaberry / Paraíso (Melia azedarach) – around 4–6%, with lilac flowers and small yellow fruits (not edible) that remain during winter. When I was a child, I used to use these fruits as “municiones” for my gomera (slingshot) and play with my friends.
- London Plane / Plátano (Platanus × hispanica) – about 9% of sidewalks and 3% of parks. Their wide canopies dominate the streets of neighborhoods such as Belgrano and Belgrano R. I’m in love with the “green gallery” formed by the trees on Washington and 11 de Septiembre Streets, where they create elegant tunnels of exuberant green in summer. However, their flowers can cause allergic reactions in spring, and the authorities are trying to address that.
Fresno (left) & gallery of Platanus (right)
- Crape Myrtle / Crespón (Lagerstroemia indica) – around 3%, with pink or violet summer blossoms.
- Golden Ash / Fresno Dorado (Fraxinus excelsior aurea) – about 3%, turning an intense golden-yellow in autumn.
- Tipa Tree / Tipa blanca (Tipuana tipu) – 3% of sidewalks and 8% of parks. Their long, graceful branches form the famous “Túnel de Tipas” on Melián Street, one of my favorite places in the city — a natural cathedral of intertwined trunks and filtered sunlight. In December, their yellow flowers fall and create a golden carpet on the ground. There’s also a small insect that releases drops of liquid from the branches, producing a “raining effect” that makes the experience even more magical.
- Privet / Ligustro (Ligustrum lucidum) – around 2%, often used to shade narrow streets.
Trees Common in Parks
- Palo Borracho / Silk Floss Tree (Ceiba speciosa) – about 6% of parks; introduced during Sarmiento’s presidency at the end of the 19th century. Their trunks have impressive spines on the bark!
- Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus spp.) – less common but still present, towering and fragrant.
- Casuarina (Casuarina cunninghamiana) – about 5% of parks.
- Cypress / Ciprés (Cupressus sempervirens) – around 2%.
- Ceibo / Coral Tree (Erythrina crista-galli) – around 2% of parks, with red blooms shining between spring and summer. It’s the national flower of Argentina and can be seen around Palermo’s lakes and parks.
- Pindó Palm (Syagrus romanzoffiana) – around 2% of parks, including the iconic ones near Plaza de Mayo.
Less Frequent but Beautiful Species
- Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) – rare but spectacular; fan-shaped leaves that turn deep golden around April and May.
- Lapacho Rosado (Handroanthus impetiginosus) – pink blossoms that brighten the early spring.
- Ibirá Pitá (Peltophorum dubium) – with yellow flowers in January and February.
- Liquidambar (Liquidambar styraciflua) – brilliant reddish foliage in autumn.
- Maple / Arce (Acer spp.) – similar to the Liquidambar, with orange and red leaves in fall.
Arce (Maple)
- Ombú (Phytolacca dioica) – a giant native from the Pampas, like the one in Recoleta, famous for its massive trunk and shade.
- Gomero (Ficus elastica) – with large glossy leaves and impressive roots, similar in shape to the Ombú.
- Japanese Maple / Arce Japonés (Acer palmatum) – in autumn, its crimson color is breathtaking; you can find many in Belgrano R.
- Willow / Sauce (Salix humboldtiana) – elegant and melancholic, usually near water or parks like Tres de Febrero.
- Espinillo / Aromito (Vachellia caven) – small and spiny, with yellow fragrant flowers, typical from the Pampas.
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