The movement to replace fallen trees with native and endemic plants all throughout the country is gaining. Milciades Mejía, director of the National Botanical Gardens told journalist Carlos Michelén in an interview with El Caribe that native palm trees proved they are more resistant than the Acacia Magium with which the country was planted after the devastation of the flora by Hurricane David in 1979. "This is the chance for the government to mend the errors of the past in regards to species used for reafforestation and replanting of trees, while making a contribution to the conservation of our native flora," concurred deputy director of the botanical gardens, Ricardo García. The technicians of the Botanical Gardens are recommending the planting of the Palma Cana, the Yarey, the Guanito de Paya and the Palma Real. Palm trees are recommended because their roots do not destroy sidewalks, nor buildings, they require little space and are truly beautiful and elegant. Other trees that would do well are fruit trees such as the sea grape, caimito, candongo, anon and mamey. Also recommended are the planting of ebony, mahogany, lignum vitae (guayacán) and caobanilla. Also Juan Primero, Corazón de Paloma, Lana, Almácigo, algarrobos and aceitunos, trees that grow to heights of three meters in less than two years. The Botanical garden has seedlings and seeds of more than 5,600 species regarded as superior native and endemic plants. According to the Mejía, the Botanical Gardens have 200,000 trees in their nurseries in Santo Domingo and the southwestern province of Peravia that can be planted throughout the country. The technicians explain that aside from the native species being better adapted to extreme climatological conditions such as hurricanes, these are also better adapted to the ecological balance. He explained that the Acacia Magium brought with it a plague that affected the trees that provide shade to coffee plantations.
