Nation’s largest gumbo limbo tree on the chopping block

The largest gumbo limbo tree in the country will be removed from De Soto National Memorial.

The National Park Service announced Wednesday that two gumbo limbo trees that sustained damage from Hurricane Irma, including one that holds the title of American Forests Champion Tree for being the nation’s largest tree of the species, will be removed from the park Monday and Tuesday.

The larger tree earned its title 10 years ago. It is 80 years old, 45 feet tall and weighs an estimated 50,000 pounds. Arborists discovered two cracks on its trunk in late September.

Park officials cited safety concerns as the reason for the removal.

“Like many others, we love these trees,” said De Soto National Memorial Superintendent Nathan Souder. “Ultimately our responsibility as public servants is to put the safety of our visitors first. The demise of these two trees is imminent and their location coupled with the amount of weight that will come down when they fall pose an unacceptable risk to visitors. This is a very difficult decision, but the most viable option.”

Due to the fact that either tree could fall unexpectedly, both have been roped off for visitor safety. However, visitors are still encouraged to come see the trees before they are removed.

Park visitors will be able to preserve the legacy of the gumbo limbo trees branch by branch. De Soto National Memorial will partner with Friends of De Soto from noon to 5 p.m. Nov. 8 to hand out for free disease-free limbs to be replanted elsewhere.

“This is a beautiful tree and we are pleased to offer our community an opportunity to take home a piece of history and help this tree live on in Bradenton and the surrounding area for decades to come,” said Friends of De Soto President Margo Belaga.

The removal of the trees is the first part of a larger project. The next step is to receive public comment on a method of maintaining the gumbo grove “in a way that honors the park’s objectives and enhances the visitor experience,” the Park Service said in a press release.

“We look forward to working with the community to make De Soto National Memorial an even better place to visit,” Souder said.

Gumbo limbo trees at De Soto have suffered from an incurable Ganoderma disease that inflicts the trunks. Large specimens reportedly fall at De Soto every four or five years. Souder is hopeful that the park will be able to bounce back from the loss of the two trees.

“The champion tree will always have a place in our community,” said Souder. “Gumbo limbo trees are famous for their ability to grow from cut branches planted in the ground. Many of the gumbo limbos beside the park visitor center were limbs from a previous national champion tree. ”

During the removal process, the park’s visitor center and the nearby area will be closed. Officials expect the operation to be complete by Tuesday evening. De Soto National Memorial’s trails will be accessible through the Riverview Point Preserve county property.

This story was originally published November 1, 2017 at 3:24 PM with the headline "Nation’s largest gumbo limbo tree on the chopping block."