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palmcityfl

Red Bay Tree

palmcityfl
16 years ago

My lot in Martin County adjoins a nature preserve which is a wetland, although invaded by brazilian pepper and melaleuca. Almost all native trees were destroyed by the developer except one 30' tree. Most landscapers refer to it as a "bay tree". I've narrowed it down to a Red Bay tree (Persea borbonia). The trunk is about 3' in diameter, and the tree took a major hit in past hurricanes, losing many limbs. It is related to the bay laurel commonly used as a seasoning. Most writers say that this is a valuable native tree growing only in the coastal South and throughout Florida. Has anyone seen this tree in the wild? I've never seen one used in landscaping or streetscapes, but it has a highly interesting textured bark. Can I grow seedling from the berries which are just starting to ripen?

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