The Lahaina Banyan Tree in 2017.
(Photo: richlonardo/Depositphotos)
In August 2023, Maui was struck by a devastating fire.
Over 100 people died and thousands of homes and buildings around the island were destroyed by the flames.
The Lahaina Banyan Tree in 2017. (Photo: richlonardo/Depositphotos)
Lahaina, a historic town in the western part of the island, saw the worst of it.
Parts of the famedLahaina Banyan Tree, which had just turned 150, got burned.
Although it was unclear whether the tree would survive, things are looking better now.
Once arborists were able to to return to the area, the work to save the tree began.
Sadly, about half of the trees branches died.
Specifically, the trees northeast corner sustained the most damage in the fire and never recovered.
The team also fed it with a special compost to nourish it back to health.
The first good sign happened in October 2023, when the tree sprouted itsfirst new leavessince the fire.
In my opinion the tree is still in a coma.
Theyre in a coma and all of a sudden they blink an eye or move a finger.
This tree needs to put out enough foliage and green to be able to feed itself.
To better understand the trees behavior, 14 sensors were screwed into it.
These devices will track flows of cambium, or sap, through its branches.
Its basically a heart monitor, Duane Sparkman, chair of the Maui County Arborist Committee toldAP.
As weve been treating the tree, the heart beats getting stronger and stronger and stronger.
Today, the tree has made some significant progress, but it’s still in a fragile condition.
Its not out of the woods, Timothy Griffith Jr., chief arborist for Maui County, toldUSA Today.
The banyan Tree orFicus benghalensisis not a species native to Hawai’i.
It was shipped from India, becoming a symbol of Hawai’i’s burgeoning multicultural exchange.
Although the outlook is promising, the work is far from done.
There are plans to install some features to continue to care for the tree.
Its pretty amazing to see that much of the tree come back.
Its pretty amazing to see that much of the tree come back.
