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Ever strolled through Murcia's streets and wondered about all those vibrant orange trees lining the pavements? The Ayuntamiento is on the case, planning to harvest up to 640 tons of fruit from around 15,000 bitter orange trees, known as Citrus aurantium, by early March. They've already bagged 300 tons in the first few weeks of this pruning campaign, run by the Urban Development and Smart City department.

 

The work keeps roadsides neat and safe, especially after recent windstorms hit the historic gardens and outlying areas. Teams use hand pruners, saws and telescopic trimmers to shape the trees for better flowering and growth. This week, they've tackled over 1,100 trees in spots like Cabezo de Torres, San Juan, Churra and Vistalegre, with more lined up for Era Alta and San Basilio soon. The city is split into three zones for three full rounds of pruning to hit the busiest streets first.

 

You might ask why no one's picking them for a fresh snack. A local once explained to wide-eyed visitors, "Those kind of oranges are not good to eat, they're very bitter and not meant for humans." Spot on! These aren't your sweet table oranges. Brought to Spain by the Moors around the 10th century from Southeast Asia, they're better suited for marmalade (think British breakfast favourite), essential oils in perfumes and cleaners, or even soap from the leaves and rinds.

 

And hands off if you're tempted - these trees belong to the Ayuntamiento, so plucking fruit could land you a fine. The collected oranges often end up as compost for gardens, keeping things practical and green.

 

It's a cheerful sight that adds colour and scent to our streets, but this annual tidy-up reminds us there's more to these trees than meets the eye. Next time you pass one, you'll know the story behind the harvest.

 

 

Image: Zeynep Merve Kılıç Çakır/Pexels