Experts are striving to save the ancient banyan tree of Lahaina, one of the “victims” of the wildfire disaster in Hawaii.
Intense fires last week devastated the tourist town of Lahaina, damaging thousands of structures and claiming at least 110 lives, Newsweek reported on August 17. Following the disaster, the town’s famous 150-year-old banyan tree was charred and turned black.
The 150-year-old banyan tree scorched from above on August 11. (Photo: Justin Sullivan)
Banyan trees are believed to have poor fire resistance due to their thin bark, which allows flames to easily reach the living cells inside the wood. The tree in Lahaina was severely burned in the wildfire; its canopy and leaves are singed, and the bark has turned black, yet there is still hope for its survival.
“When you see black, it means it has been charred, burned, carbonized, and is in big trouble. I don’t see char in a few of the photos. We are far from out of the woods, but there is still a glimmer of hope,” said Kevin Eckert, founder and president of the nonprofit conservation group Arbor Global.
“A team of tree care specialists has come to assess and create an emergency care plan. The plan is being implemented by local construction companies that can access the area during this chaotic time. We are doing everything possible to give the tree the highest chance of survival,” said Kimberly Flook, executive director of the Lahaina Restoration Organization. Maui County has classified the ancient banyan tree as a Special Tree, receiving similar protections to a historic site.
The banyan tree in Lahaina before the fire. (Photo: iStock).
The ancient banyan tree was brought from India and planted in what was once the capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1873, marking the 50th anniversary of a group of missionaries arriving here. Since then, it has become an important local landmark.
The banyan tree is considered one of the largest specimens of its kind in the world. It is also the largest banyan tree in the United States, standing about 18 meters tall, with more than 46 trunks and a canopy spanning an area of 2,700 square meters.
“As a 150-year-old tree in the heart of a historic town, it has been a gathering point for many years. Luaus, festivals, hula performances, picnics, and celebrations have taken place throughout its existence. The banyan tree is even lit up every December, becoming the town’s unique ‘holiday tree.’ On a less formal level, locals and tourists enjoy its shade, benches underneath, and the sounds of mynah birds every evening,” Flook added.
