Thousands of trees color the daily lives of the population of the Federal District throughout the year. Cambuís appear at the beginning of the year, painting streets and avenues with shades of yellow. In June, the ipês arrive, postcards from Brasília that generate countless posts on social media. Before, in February, the pink tones of the paineiras begin to emerge – each tree chooses the moment in which it wants to adorn the Brasília scenery, ensuring that the beauty of the species lasts in the square throughout the month of April.
Each adult paineira reaches up to 30 meters in height, and the trunk can reach 80 to 120 cm in diameter | Photos: Matheus H. Souza/Agência Brasília
The belly, as the paineira is popularly known, is spread throughout the administrative regions. In Plano Piloto alone, there are more than 3,500 copies. Anyone passing through Octogonal can see them from the footbridge, as well as in Eixinho Sul, Eixão Norte, Epia, L4 Sul and Setor Militar Urbano. The tree is also present in other states, such as Bahia, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Santa Catarina and Paraná.
The planting and maintenance of trees, including the development of seedlings, are the responsibilities of Companhia Urbanizadora da Nova Capital (Novacap). Every year, 100,000 new seedlings of different species are planted. “Panel trees are ideal for green areas, because the roots are very aggressive and need space to grow. We chose permeable areas without sidewalks, so that the roots take up the necessary space”, explains Novacap’s landscape architect, José Humberto Viana.
Native to Brazil, the species is scientifically called Chorisia speciosa and belongs to the Bombacaceae family. Due to the characteristics of their vegetation, paineiras are considered deciduous. After flowering, the fruits mature, which are small brown capsules that contain the plant’s seeds. Then comes the fall of foliage, usually during the dry season in Brasilia, between August and September.
The planting and maintenance of trees, including the development of seedlings, are the responsibilities of Companhia Urbanizadora da Nova Capital (Novacap)
The seeds are wrapped in paina, a set of fine white fibers that are exposed when the foliage falls. For those who see it from afar, the sensation is that the painas create areas covered in snow or cotton. In the past, this material was used to make bags and purses, as well as filling mattresses and pillows.
According to Viana, each paineira reaches up to 30 meters in height, and the trunk can reach 80 to 120 cm in diameter. Complete development time varies from 15 to 20 years. “They are large trees that are often confused with ipês. The trunk is thicker than that of other species, with a rounded part similar to a belly,” he comments. “Trees bloom at different times. It may happen that some have flowers at the end of December or January, but the most common is from February onwards”, he explains.
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Novacap is responsible for planting and maintaining trees in the Federal District. Therefore, the planting carried out by the population must be guided by the agency’s technical teams to avoid structural damage and even accidents. The service can be requested by the General Ombudsman’s Office, by calling 162 or via the website.
Destroying, damaging, harming or mistreating plants in public or private addresses is a crime provided for by law. The penalty is imprisonment from three months to one year or a fine. The two penalties can also be applied cumulatively. To report acts of vandalism or theft, simply call the Novacap Ombudsman, on 3403-2626, or the Civil Police, on 197.
