Public rallies to save historic gumbo limbo tree at De Soto National Memorial in Bradenton
MANATEE -- Its large, sweeping low-hanging branches have felt the little hands of gleeful children climbing its 75-foot spread.
Studying its intricate majesty in the closest of details has been a favorite of photographers and painters alike for decades.
Visitors to De Soto National Memorial, 8300 De Soto Memorial Highway, will still be kept at a distance from the park's iconic "champion" gumbo limbo tree, but they will get longer than anticipated to enjoy its majesty thanks to a public campaign to save the historic tree from a deadly wood-eating disease.
Last September, staff at De Soto National Memorial had to put an end to what had become a park tradition of people gathering under the tree, and
roped off the 90-year old gumbo limbo tree that is a park centerpiece. The historic tree that more than likely witnessed the monument's dedication in 1939 was dying.
It was infected with a disease that feeds off the tree's wood under the bark, allowing water to penetrate its inner core and causing the tree to rot from the inside out.
A public plea to raise $10,000 to save the 45-foot-tall tree and 13 other gumbo limbos went out in September and the public responded by donating about 75 percent of the funds, according to Jorge Acevedo, park superintendent.
Treatment has already taken place and will be ongoing to ensure that the younger gumbo limbos survive and that the park's iconic centerpiece attraction's life is prolonged for as long as possible.
"The champion tree has probably reached its lifespan," said Acevedo. "Every day we get to enjoy it is a blessing. In the wild, it probably doesn't live half as long, so we just want to keep it as healthy and protected for as long as we can."
In December, the Johnston Family Foundation offered a $5,000 matching grant to help save the tree. The Friends of De Soto contributed $2,000 toward that grant and public contributions have brought the goal of $11,000 within reach. Acevedo said about $2,500 more is needed to ensure treatment continues to the remaining 13 gumbo limbos near the champion tree.
There has been $5,535 already invested in the diagnosis and treatment of the trees and $5,785 will be spent toward additional treatments.
The champion tree received $1,375 for pruning and thinning, a $3,000 treatment that involved an injection of a beneficial fungi, as well as a $450 stainless steel support cable to help stabilize one of the tree's biggest and heaviest branches that has been deemed to be in peril of falling.
Acevedo said for that reason, even with the cable, direct access to the tree will remain prohibited.
"There is an overwhelming sentiment of gratitude I have for the community stepping up, big time," he said.
There is still a need to ensure the younger gumbo limbos remain a viable part of the park's historic ecosystem.
To help the park and the Friends of De Soto reach the final goal, visit friendsofdesoto.org to donate.
Mark Young, Herald urban affairs reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7041 or follow him on Twitter @urbanmark2014.
This story was originally published April 18, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Public rallies to save historic gumbo limbo tree at De Soto National Memorial in Bradenton ."