In the heart of Rapa Nui, better known as Easter Island, a species long thought lost is taking root once again. The toromiro tree (Sophora toromiro), once a vital part of the island’s landscape and culture, disappeared from the wild in the 1960s due to deforestation, overuse, and environmental shifts. Now, after decades of failed restoration efforts, a scientific breakthrough offers fresh hope for its return.

A Tree Woven Into Rapa Nui’s History

The toromiro was not just any tree—it was an integral part of Rapa Nui’s ecosystem and traditions. Its wood was carved into sacred artifacts, including moai kavakava, small wooden figurines mirroring the island’s iconic stone statues.

By the mid-20th century, the toromiro had vanished from the wild. Fortunately, seeds collected from the final known specimen were sent to Chile’s national botanical garden in Viña del Mar, where they were carefully cultivated.

The Missing Link: A Hidden Partnership

For years, experts struggled to understand why toromiro failed to thrive on its home soil. Then, scientists at Concepción University in Chile made a crucial discovery. Like many members of the pea family, toromiro relies on a special partnership with soil bacteria called rhizobia. These microbes live in the tree’s roots, helping it absorb nitrogen—a key nutrient for survival.

The problem? The specific rhizobia needed by toromiro are extinct on Rapa Nui. When scientists searched for them in local soil, they found nothing. Lab tests confirmed their theory: toromiro seedlings treated with these bacteria grew significantly stronger and healthier than those without them.

“I’m confident that these organisms can make a difference,” says Macarena Gerding, a legume agronomist leading the research. “But I think we still have to look after those plants for a while.”

A Fragile Return To The Island

Armed with this new knowledge, researchers returned to Rapa Nui with fresh hope. Since 2018, they have reintroduced over 100 toromiro seedlings, carefully inoculated with beneficial bacteria. These trees are being nurtured at Mataveri Otai Nursery, where Paté tends to them with care.

Despite the scientific progress, challenges remain. To truly reestablish toromiro in the wild, the trees must produce seeds on their own, something that has not yet happened.

“It’s been a super-ambitious task to resurrect this species,” Paté says. “It’s been very complicated – the climate didn’t used to be like this.”

Can Toromiro Survive Rapa Nui’s New Reality?

Even with scientific innovation, many islanders remain skeptical. Rapa Nui’s environment has changed drastically over the centuries—invasive species now dominate 90% of the island’s vegetation, and climate conditions are not what they once were.

Since toromiro thrives in shaded, humid environments, the plan is to plant the saplings in areas with palm trees or near the island’s volcanic craters, where conditions may be more favorable.

However, skepticism remains within the local community. Jaime Espejo, a forest engineer working on the project, notes that past failures have left many doubtful.

Some islanders believe that Rapa Nui’s environment has changed too drastically for the tree to reestablish itself, while others question whether the true essence of the ancient toromiro has been irreversibly lost.