Iconic 151-year-old banyan tree signals hope one year after devastating Maui wildfires

Hope is blooming on fire-ravaged Maui. An iconic 151-year-old banyan tree on the island is healing one year after it was scorched by wildfires that ripped through the Hawaiian island last year. Several branches of the sprawling tree — which predates Hawaii becoming a US territory — bear signs of life that seemed impossible after

Hope is blooming on fire-ravaged Maui.

An iconic 151-year-old banyan tree on the island is healing one year after it was scorched by wildfires that ripped through the Hawaiian island last year.

Several branches of the sprawling tree — which predates Hawaii becoming a US territory — bear signs of life that seemed impossible after the devastating natural disaster, all thanks to the work of dedicated arborists.

“You see a lot of long, long branches with hundreds of leaves back on the tree,” Duane Sparkman, chair of the Maui County Arborist Committee, told the Associated Press, adding that some branches are even producing fruit.

Sections of Lahaina’s iconic banyan tree is thriving one year after the Maui wildfires. Getty Images

“It’s pretty amazing to see that much of the tree come back.”

The massive banyan tree, located along Lahaina’s historic Front Street, was one of the countless victims of the August 2023 wildfires, which claimed the lives of 102 people.

It has served as a touchstone to the community for generations — India gifted the non-native tree to Hawaii in 1873 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the arrival of the first Protestant missionaries to live in Lahaina.

It has since grown more than 60 feet high and is anchored by multiple trunks that span nearly an acre — about half of which was destroyed beyond rehabilitation in the fire.

About half of the tree’s branches were damaged beyond rehabilitation. AP

The major tourist attraction was badly charred in the inferno, not because of the flames themselves, but from the intense heat that dried out the tree.

But because of its longstanding history and the community’s attachment to it, arborists and volunteers set out on a mission to save as much of the banyan tree as possible.

While the banyan tree might be the largest signal of hope for Maui, arborists are also focused on replacing the estimated 25,000 trees that were lost in the fire.

Before the fire, the 151-year-old tree was more than 60 feet high and was anchored by multiple trunks that span nearly an acre. Getty Images

Sparkman’s nonprofit, Treecovery, has already potted 3,500 trees which are growing at “micro nurseries” across the island, including at some hotels, until people can move back into their homes.

“We have grow hubs all over the island of Maui to grow these trees out for as long as they need. So when the people are ready, we can have them come pick these trees up and they can plant them in their yards,” he said.

“It’s important that we do this for the families.”

Total
0
Shares
Leave a Reply
Related Posts
Police rally behind cop sidelined after Manchester Airport violence – as armed colleagues lay down their guns in solidarity and family of ‘kicked victim’ say they have ‘real concerns’ for injured officers
Read More

Police rally behind cop sidelined after Manchester Airport violence – as armed colleagues lay down their guns in solidarity and family of ‘kicked victim’ say they have ‘real concerns’ for injured officers

Police chiefs are rallying behind an officer who was suspended from duty after kicking a teenager in the head - as the family of the victim say they have 'real concerns' for the cops who were injured in the lead-up to the incident. Greater Manchester Police was plunged into crisis last week after horrifying footage
Fall Guys Invades Fortnite’s Battle Royale Modes
Read More

Fall Guys Invades Fortnite’s Battle Royale Modes

It's been a long time coming, but Fall Guys has finally arrived in Fortnite. The bean-based competition game begins its integration into the Fortnite ecosystem in several different ways--with Fortnite creative islands by Fall Guys developer Mediatonic, the ability for users to publish their own Fall Guys maps and, most importantly, an all-new Fall Guys-themed