Gumbo Limbo trees get a new “skin” on Sanibel

Ten years ago, Hurricane Charley hit Sanibel and Captiva Islands and left behind life long impressions,  but far fewer trees.

But the residents of Sanibel jumped right in to replace all the lost flora and now , for the most part,  the Islands look as they did before Charley.  The Australian Pines are largely gone, but all the sturdy tropical vegetation is back.

So it was very distressing when  an "attack" was made on our Gumbo Limbo trees in the Ding Darling Nature Preserve, not by Mother Nature but by human  beings.

Gumbo limbos are native island trees nicknamed “tourist trees” because their red, peeling bark resembles sunburnt tourists. The gumbo limbo’s soft, smooth bark is also more susceptible to vandals destructively carving their identity or affections into the vulnerable trees.

We do not take such behavior lightly on the Island, and are alarmed that such graffiti invites more of the same. 

These arrogant actions not only result in scarring these beautiful trees and exposing them to greater harm and disease but they also ruin the natural wilderness experience many of our visitors come here to seek." Toni Westland, the US Fish & Wildlife Service supervisory ranger assigned to the refuge, echoed the sentiments. "It just makes me sick to see these beautiful trees defaced," Westland said. "The culprits need to realize that they are vandalizing federal property on federal lands, which is a punishable offense."

Because we take our trees seriously on Sanibel,  we were happy to see a good Samaritan step up to bat and come up with a plan to discourage "decorating" our Gumbo Limbos.

Landscaper Robert Walton with Grounds By Green Ways on Sanibel Island has donated his expertise, time, and materials to mask and mend gumbo limbo trees along the Calusa Shell Mound Trail at the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, trees that have been compromised by graffiti vandalism.

A few weeks ago, Walton showed refuge interns how to wrap seven damaged trees with special biodegradable, corn-based landscape fabric that is rated to last 10 years.  "Rob has advised us to cover the graffiti with landscape fabric to protect the trees from disease and allow the scarred trees to heal faster, " said Westland.

We thank Mr. Walton and all who have come to the rescue of our Gumbo Limbos.