Director: Santiago Serrano

I’m not one for the more scientific aspects of botany but this short documentary, “Memories of Trees. Toromiro: The Exiled” is effective in explaining the intricacies of trying to revive an extinct tree to its native environment in Chile.

The Sophora Toromiro tree was a common tree native in Chile and Rapa Nui or Easter Island. The wood was often used by the carvers for all sorts of crafts and tools. It was often associated with the civilization of the people and just like the people, the tree disappeared.

Efforts have been made to revive the tree under cultivation by the Jardin Botanico Nacional – Vina Del Mar in Chile from the original cuttings of the last existing Toromiro. It has been propagated several times and efforts have been made to reproduce the conditions for it to grow successfully.

Once it has grown and is ready for transplant in its native habitat, this is where the tree has not successfully adapted. The scientists believe it is due to the lack of the correct soil bacteria for growth.

The story doesn’t end there, another group of scientists in Sweden at the Gothenburg Botanical Garden, are also experimenting and successfully growing a Toromiro from the seeds gathered by Thor Heyerdahl. And this is how the tree continues to exist (but not in its native habitat).

This film is narrated by the tree and explains how his survival is dependent on others to propagate and to duplicate him. The director also weaves the story of the people of Rapa Nui and how, like the plant, the civilization disappeared. Theories include the over-harvesting of the trees and also reports of a severe drought which prevented the trees from thriving.

There is so much to learn from the situation of this tree: what can we do to prevent other trees from going extinct? how do we prepare for possible extinctions? what can we do, scientifically, to keep plants alive? How can countries work together for the human good?

Link to the virtual viewing: https://www.ihsfilmfestival.org/2022-festival-entries