A curious thing has been happening lately in Montevideo… the trees have been coming down. I first noticed it a few weeks ago and now block after block after block of the beautiful treetops are gone.
I do need to clarify, the trees aren’t entirely gone, but so aggressively pruned as to leave no foliage at all, just the main trunk and several of the larger secondary trunks to grow back. These once beautiful tree-lined streets that provided the much needed shade as I walked, are now bare and cold.
I knew that the trees here in UY grow very quickly due to year-round growth and therefore while large, are somewhat weak. Upon further inspection, these trees have seen this type of pruning before and will most likely again. Their somewhat scraggly main trunks are met with markedly newer growth just slightly above.
Photos by Sarah Piñeyro
One nice advantage to this tree trimming (if you’re looking for a silver-lining) is that you can see the houses more clearly and all the gorgeous traditional detail that they hold. If you’re in an apartment, you may now have a view where you never did before, just beware of who may be able to see you 
My one question: How long until the trees grow back? I will miss the beautiful shaded canopy they provided!
they’ll be back by august-september, for spring.
Don’t worry!! they’ll grow as big as ever before next Spring!! you’ll have your shade back!!!
Dont worry, they will grow back by Spring, I swear, they do this because this way the branches keep growing up and up, and that way its easier to keep them out of windows and power cables.
By summer they will be full again and providing the much needed shadow
Thanks everyone. I’ll have to trust you on this although I’m a bit skeptical. Its nearly August and there is no sign of growth yet. Can the trees really grow enough to provide shade by summer?
Hi Lisa, I agree with the other commentors. I witnessed the same exaggerated pruning in Argentina and Brazil and the miracle does occur. Maybe all the rain has something to do with rapid growth.