A 150-year-old banyan tree damaged in the Lahaina fire in Maui is showing signs of recovery.
According to USA Today, the historic banyan tree in Lahaina was badly burned in a fire that killed 97 people. A little over a month later, new green sprouts have begun to appear on the tree.
Hawaii’s Department of Land and Natural Resources shared a video this week that showed green leaves growing on the tree, The New York Times reports. Green sprouts have also begun to appear near the tree’s base.
Volunteer arborists working to save the tree told KHON 2 that the green leaves and sprouts are good signs for long-term recovery. Arborists and other locals view the tree as a symbol of hope.
“To me, [the banyan tree] is a symbol of hope. We’re taking it to heart to try to bring back the tree to give some hope to Lahaina,” Chris Imonti, a Maui local and volunteer landscape contractor working to restore the tree, said last month, according to NBC News. “We don’t know what’s down the line but I think it’s going to be a new beginning for everybody.”
The tree was planted in 1873 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of a Protestant mission to Lahaina, The New York Times reports. At the time it was just eight feet tall. After a century and a half, the tree is 60 feet tall and a beloved landmark.
While the fire did not completely kill the tree, it needs added nutrients to help stimulate growth.
“[The tree] is kind of in a coma,” Arborist Steve Nimz told USA TODAY. “So, it’s just like when you’re in a coma, they give you intravenous fluids in your veins and they keep your vital signs going until they see you blink or move a finger or something. So, we’re doing the same thing with the tree.”
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