Banyan tree report shows strong storm recovery
A new report on the health of the Banyan Street banyan trees shows that they have strongly recovered from recent hurricanes, and a moth attack in the spring.
“You get to really see the rev of the trees and how resilient that they are,” said arborist Rick Joyce, of Florida Resources Ecological of Fort Myers. “Ficuses as a whole are really tough trees,” Joyce said.
Joyce is the foremost expert not only on the banyans, but on the foliage and trees of Gasparilla Island. The new report was issued in July, almost exactly 22 years after Joyce published his first report on Banyan Street in 2002.
There are a total of 22 banyan trees that line both sides of Banyan Street. Nineteen of them are mature trees, and two are young replacements. The tree that appears to be most recently planted appears to be struggling, with much of the bark removed. “It looks like the tree was driven over or backed over,” according to the report.
The Edward’s Wasp Moth had eaten and damaged leaves on some of the banyan trees earlier this spring; however, based on Joyce’s evaluation, newer leaves that have recently re-foliated are not showing signs of damage from this moth. In the report, he recommends monitoring the trees with no added chemical control at this time.
There are two nonnative, invasive vines that appear to have been planted and are growing onto several trees. These vines, the golden pothos and arrowhead, can decay and damage trees, making them more susceptible to storm and wind damage. Many of the older trees have wood decay and carving. Some wood carvings were relatively recent, according to the report.
The pruning work after Hurricane Ian effectively addressed storm caused hangers, broken and damaged branches and pruning back to live tissue. It is recommended that structural pruning, as well as fertilization, should be scheduled annually.
“The interesting part of the work was that the trees could be looked at through the window of what happened to them during four hurricanes,” Joyce said. The trees have some advantages in the storm, as well, with “feathers” that help hold the tree to the ground during storms.
There are some other recommendations for the trees, including mulch, instead of shells, in some of the areas near them. There is also a low limb that has been hit a couple of times. While Joyce says that he is usually an “anti-signage guy” one may be needed for that, and to discourage carving as well.
Joyce has done much work on the island and worked for Lee County and Babcock Ranch. He also consults with island organizations, including the Gasparilla Island Conservation Improvement Association. While he is well familiar with the trees, he was still surprised at the number of people coming by to look at them.
“I spent quite a few hours on that street,” Joyce said. “I cannot believe how many people came by to stop and take pictures of those trees.”
The island in so many ways is a laboratory and teaching site for good, sustainable tree care. The miles of trees along the GICIA bike path are completely self-sufficient as well.
“None of that is irrigated, pesticided, nothing,” Joyce said. “It is a lush, beautiful landscape.”
