It develops unusual red bark that peels back – reminiscent of sunburned skin – which gives gumbo limbo the nickname of “Tourist Tree.” These trees take up a lot of space with thick, low branches that stay near to the ground, so the tree fits best in a large yard. The wood is lightweight, soft and easily-carved – it used to be used to make carousel horses. But in spite of these characteristics of the wood, a gumbo limbo is considered one of the most wind-tolerant trees and can withstand hurricane winds. The “Tourist Tree” is one of the prettiest salt tolerant trees, making it a welcome shade tree for a coastal property. It’s also popular with wildlife…the berries it produces in summer are a favorite with birds.

Most seen in home landscapes are around 25 or 30 feet tall, though the tree can reach 40 feet.