Fort Zachary Taylor-Key West-Gulfstream 3

Paper: Palm Beach Post, The (FL)
Title: GULF STREAM TO BEGIN REPAIRS ON HISTORIC AUSTRALIAN PINES
Author: CHUCK McGINNESS, Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Date: November 11, 2005

This seaside community's most recognizable landmark - the Australian pine canopy that lines State Road A1A - was torn and tattered in Hurricane Wilma.

But residents who cherish the beauty and charm of the trees that others find hideous need not worry. The ones that fell or were badly damaged in the storm will likely be replaced, Town Manager Bill Trasher said Wednesday.Thrasher said he hasn't taken a count of the casualties, but town arborist C. Way Hoyt, who plans to inspect the more than 300 pines today, said he's heard the damage was slight.

Over the years, the town has dug in its heels and threatened to go any lengths to preserve its signature pines.

Gulf Stream's canopy is one of the last vestiges of Old Florida in the area. During the 1920s, the trees lined the roadway from Jacksonville to Miami.

In 1992, after the state transportation department marked the trees for destruction, the town rallied support among state lawmakers to designate its two-mile stretch of A1A as a historic and scenic highway. The designation prohibits the removal of healthy Australian pines.

Four years later, the state passed another law allowing the town to cultivate and plant new pines. The town has a successful program to nurture seedlings on public property until they are tall enough and sturdy enough to replant along A1A, Thrasher said.

In the debate over the value of the non-native tree species, the Australian pine has been politicized and taken a bad rap, Hoyt said.

Environmentalists argue that pines growing near the ocean inhibit the nesting of sea turtles, prevent the growth of essential native dune vegetation and generally disrupt the coastal ecosystem. Critics also say the tree's shallow roots allow them to topple easily in hurricanes.

Australian pines growing in deep sandy soil, like that in Gulf Stream, develop extensive root systems and are extremely tough trees, Hoyt said. The town's pines are inspected at least once a year to make sure they're healthy.

"Overall, they're very strong trees, very storm tolerant," Hoyt said.

Copyright (c) 2005 Palm Beach Newspapers, Inc.


	Paper: Palm Beach Post, The (FL) Title: GULF STREAM TO BEGIN REPAIRS ON HISTORIC AUSTRALIAN PINES Author: CHUCK McGINNESS, Palm Beach Post Staff Writer Date: November 11, 2005 This seaside community's most recognizable landmark - the Australian pine canopy that lines State Road A1A - was torn and tattered in Hurricane Wilma. But residents who cherish the beauty and charm of the trees that others find hideous need not worry. The ones that fell or were badly damaged in the storm will likely be replaced, Town Manager Bill Trasher said Wednesday.Thrasher said he hasn't taken a count of the casualties, but town arborist C. Way Hoyt, who plans to inspect the more than 300 pines today, said he's heard the damage was slight. Over the years, the town has dug in its heels and threatened to go any lengths to preserve its signature pines. Gulf Stream's canopy is one of the last vestiges of Old Florida in the area. During the 1920s, the trees lined the roadway from Jacksonville to Miami. In 1992, after the state transportation department marked the trees for destruction, the town rallied support among state lawmakers to designate its two-mile stretch of A1A as a historic and scenic highway. The designation prohibits the removal of healthy Australian pines. Four years later, the state passed another law allowing the town to cultivate and plant new pines. The town has a successful program to nurture seedlings on public property until they are tall enough and sturdy enough to replant along A1A, Thrasher said. In the debate over the value of the non-native tree species, the Australian pine has been politicized and taken a bad rap, Hoyt said. Environmentalists argue that pines growing near the ocean inhibit the nesting of sea turtles, prevent the growth of essential native dune vegetation and generally disrupt the coastal ecosystem. Critics also say the tree's shallow roots allow them to topple easily in hurricanes. Australian pines growing in deep sandy soil, like that in Gulf Stream, develop extensive root systems and are extremely tough trees, Hoyt said. The town's pines are inspected at least once a year to make sure they're healthy. "Overall, they're very strong trees, very storm tolerant," Hoyt said. Copyright (c) 2005 Palm Beach Newspapers, Inc. click to close window