Gumbo limbo tree is a beautiful plant that is native to the Caribbean. It has long, glossy leaves and produces small, white flowers. The gumbo limbo tree is an evergreen, meaning it will retain its leaves year-round. It is an excellent plant for use in hedges and as an ornamental plant in the garden.
About soil condition, The Gumbo-limbo tree grows in tropical areas and is used to help prevent soil erosion. The tree gets its name from the gumbo-limbo tree, which is found in Africa and South America. The tree is also known as the Red Ironwood tree, which is found in the Caribbean. The tree is a member of the family Moraceae and is native to Florida.
So, like the other trees, the gumbo limbo tree needs sunlight to grow. Without sunlight, the tree cannot produce the food it needs to survive. The leaves of the tree are specially adapted to absorb sunlight and convert it into food for the tree.
The temperature condition that is best for the gumbo limbo tree is a warm climate. This tree is native to the Caribbean and thrive in warm, humid conditions. They can tolerate some shade, but prefer full sun. Gumbo limbo trees are not very drought tolerant and need to be watered regularly.
Ideal humidity condition for this plant is 50-65%. If the humidity level drops below 40%, the leaves will start to turn brown and drop off. If the humidity level goes above 70%, the leaves will start to curl and the plant will become stressed.
Discussing fertilizer, usually the plant food contains one or more of the three primary nutrients needed for plants: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Fertilizers can be organic or inorganic. The Gumbo limbo tree does best with inorganic fertilizers because organic fertilizers release their nutrients slowly over time and inorganic fertilizers release their nutrients quickly. The Gumbo limbo tree's roots are surface roots, so they are easily exposed to nutrients in the soil.
Pruning is an important part of keeping your gumbo limbo tree healthy and vigorous. Pruning helps to remove diseased or damaged limbs, and to promote new growth. When pruning, be sure to make clean, sharp cuts, and to remove all dead or dying leaves and branches.
Propagation is usually by seed, which germinate readily, although cuttings can also be taken from young trees. The gumbo limbo tree typically grows quickly once established, reaching a height of 15-20 m (49-66 ft) and a trunk diameter of 0.6-1.2 m (2-4 ft) in five to ten years. It has an open, spreading crown of gracefully drooping branches, and the smooth bark is reddish brown, with a bright red inner layer that is revealed when the outer bark is wounded or removed. The fragrant flowers are white with a yellow center, and they bloom from March to June. The fruit is a slender, curved pod, 10-20 cm (4-8 in) long, containing numerous small, hard seeds.
Usually, the plant growth rate is about 1.5 to 2.5 m (4.9 to 8.2 ft) per year. The tree grows in a conical form when young but develops a more rounded crown with age, growing to a height of 1520 m (4966 ft). The trunk is relatively short, typically no more than 1 m (3 ft 3 in) in diameter. The tree's bark is thin and smooth, initially green but darkening to a reddish brown as the tree matures. The wood of the gumbo limbo tree is light, soft, and spongy, and therefore not of commercial value.
Common problems for this kind of plant are branch dieback, canker diseases, twig and branch breakage. These problems are caused by many things such as drought, over watering, insect pests, and diseases. Many times these problems can be avoided by proper care of the tree.
Source:
Identifying Characteristics - Institute of Food and Agricultural ...
Gumbo Limbo trees - University of South Florida
Bursera simaruba (Turpentine tree, Gumbo-limbo)
