IS THERE SUCH A THING AS A TOURIST TREE?
By Sid Freund
Florida Master Naturalist
No, Gumbo-limbo is not a Cajun soup. The Gumbo-limbo Tree is a native large semi-evergreen tree. The Gumbo-limbo is often referred to as the "tourist tree" because the tree's bark is red and peeling, like the skin of a sun burnt tourist. Branches just pushed into the ground will root. It grows quickly, 6 to 8 feet from a seed in just 18 months, and attains heights of 50 feet. A smooth dark green or greenish brown bark is present under the peeling bark. The bark is able to carry out photosynthesis even when the tree has lost all its leaves in a hurricane. Its sap, which smells like turpentine, was used for varnish and glue. The soft, light-weight, and easily carved wood of Gumbo-limbo was used for making carousel horses before the advent of molded plastics. The Calusa Indians used it to carve their war masks and the Seminoles carved medicine bowls from its wood. Touch a limb of the Gumbo-limbo and you will note that one side is cooler than the other. In the Caribbean children climb the trees and lean against limbs to cool off, an alternative to consider if your AC system fails. It's also popular with wildlife, the berries it produces in summer are a favorite with birds.
You can observe several Gumbo Limbo trees on either side of the entrance to the boardwalk heading to South Beach.
By Sid Freund
Florida Master Naturalist
No, Gumbo-limbo is not a Cajun soup. The Gumbo-limbo Tree is a native large semi-evergreen tree. The Gumbo-limbo is often referred to as the "tourist tree" because the tree's bark is red and peeling, like the skin of a sun burnt tourist. Branches just pushed into the ground will root. It grows quickly, 6 to 8 feet from a seed in just 18 months, and attains heights of 50 feet. A smooth dark green or greenish brown bark is present under the peeling bark. The bark is able to carry out photosynthesis even when the tree has lost all its leaves in a hurricane. Its sap, which smells like turpentine, was used for varnish and glue. The soft, light-weight, and easily carved wood of Gumbo-limbo was used for making carousel horses before the advent of molded plastics. The Calusa Indians used it to carve their war masks and the Seminoles carved medicine bowls from its wood. Touch a limb of the Gumbo-limbo and you will note that one side is cooler than the other. In the Caribbean children climb the trees and lean against limbs to cool off, an alternative to consider if your AC system fails. It's also popular with wildlife, the berries it produces in summer are a favorite with birds.
You can observe several Gumbo Limbo trees on either side of the entrance to the boardwalk heading to South Beach.