Gumbo Limbo Tree
Native to South Florida and the tropical offshore islands, gumbo limbo is a large semi-evergreen tree.
It can reach sixty feet in height, but it’s usually seen smaller in landscape plantings. The soft, light-weight, and easily carved wood of gumbo limbo (Bursera simaruba) was used for making carousel horses before the advent of molded plastics.
The trunk and branches are thick and are covered with resinous, smooth, peeling coppery-colored bark with an attractive, shiny, freshly-varnished appearance. The gumbo limbo is often referred to as the “tourist tree” because the tree’s bark is red and peeling, like the skin of a sun-burnt tourist.
Gumbo limbo is also considered one of the most wind-tolerant trees. This attractive tree is an excellent choice—for South Florida landscapes. Unfortunately, the gumbo limbo is only hardy in zones 10B–11.
Also on Gardening Solutions
- Coastal Landscapes
- Gardening for Butterflies
- Native Trees
- Standout Trees
- Underappreciated Native Shade Trees
- Wind-Resistant Trees