OTHER COMMON NAMES: Copperwood, Chaca Tree, Tourist Tree
DIMENSIONS & CHARACTERISTICS: The Gumbo-Limbo Tree can grow up to 90 feet tall, and is small with the trunk diameter being up to three feet. It has glossy maroon bark, and each oval-shaped leaf is 1.5 to four inches long and 0.75 to two inches wide. The fruiting season is from March to April, and the pod itself is capsule shaped, and encapsulates a single seed. The outer covering is a red fatty seedcoat, called an aril.
USES: Because the Gumbo-Limbo is a very adaptable tree, and grows rapidly, it is an extremely versatile tree. It is also wind tolerant, which makes it popular in places that experience high wind speeds, such as coastal Florida. The wood can be used for both light construction and for firewood, and it's resin is used as anything from glue to incense. It can also be used as a gout treatment, for gout. The aril, however, is critically important, as it is an important source of food for both local and migratory birds. Some species of local birds that consume it are the Masked Tityra, Bright-Rumped Attila, Black-Faced Grosbeak, and the Palmchat. The migratory Baltimore Oriole and Dusky-Capped Flycatcher also consume it.
FACTS: Gumbo-limbo wood is traditionally the wood used for the horses on carousels. It is also known as the Tourist Tree because it's bark resembles the peeled, red, sunburnt skin of many a tourist. Finally, the tree is also used in areas of reforestation, as has rapid growth and is very adaptable,.
DIMENSIONS & CHARACTERISTICS: The Gumbo-Limbo Tree can grow up to 90 feet tall, and is small with the trunk diameter being up to three feet. It has glossy maroon bark, and each oval-shaped leaf is 1.5 to four inches long and 0.75 to two inches wide. The fruiting season is from March to April, and the pod itself is capsule shaped, and encapsulates a single seed. The outer covering is a red fatty seedcoat, called an aril.
USES: Because the Gumbo-Limbo is a very adaptable tree, and grows rapidly, it is an extremely versatile tree. It is also wind tolerant, which makes it popular in places that experience high wind speeds, such as coastal Florida. The wood can be used for both light construction and for firewood, and it's resin is used as anything from glue to incense. It can also be used as a gout treatment, for gout. The aril, however, is critically important, as it is an important source of food for both local and migratory birds. Some species of local birds that consume it are the Masked Tityra, Bright-Rumped Attila, Black-Faced Grosbeak, and the Palmchat. The migratory Baltimore Oriole and Dusky-Capped Flycatcher also consume it.
FACTS: Gumbo-limbo wood is traditionally the wood used for the horses on carousels. It is also known as the Tourist Tree because it's bark resembles the peeled, red, sunburnt skin of many a tourist. Finally, the tree is also used in areas of reforestation, as has rapid growth and is very adaptable,.
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