The XXV IUFRO 2019 World Congress official opening was preceded with a tree planting ceremony at the Curitiba Botanical Gardens on 29 September. IUFRO President Prof. Mike Wingfield planted one of the five Araucaria trees as well as unveiling a commemorative plaque commemorating the hosting of the event by the city. Mike was also presented a scarf by the Curitiba chapter of the Boy Scouts movement in the city.

It is fitting that the iconic Araucaria trees were planted as the city’s name is derived from the native Tupi language words kurí tyba meaning “many pine seeds” due to the large number of pinecones of the Paraná pines (Araucaria angustafolia) in the region.