Surfrider joins the Ft. Pierce Inlet State Park to Save the Redaby Trees

Event:Help Save The Redbay Trees
Date: Saturday, September 12th
Place: Ft. Pierce Inlet State Park, 905 Shorewinds Drive, Fort Pierce, FL 34949
Time: 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

VOLUNTEERS SHOULD COME ARMED WITH A SHOVEL, TROWEL, HAND CLIPPERS, AND MOSQUITO SPRAY, IF THEY HAVE IT. IF YOU HAVE MORE THAN ONE OF THE ITEMS ABOVE PLEASE BRING THEM, SO THAT PEOPLE WHO DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THESE ITEMS MAY PARTICIPATE.

These trees are being threatened by an exotic beetle that carries a tree killing fungus called Laurel Wilt. Here are a couple of links to read more about the disease.

This disease has already killed all the Redbays at Sebastian Inlet. These are our largest native shade tree besides the Live Oak and cannot be replaced. The park needs help in protecting the trees. I have given training to the park rangers on what to do, but they need help in preparing the trees for injecting. This mainly involves just digging around the tree to expose the first part of the roots.

The picture below depicts the Macro Infusion that will happen when the roots are cleared.

Since the park is such an intergal part of the Treasure Coast surfing community, they asked Surfrider to help with possible donations, materials, and/or getting volunteers to help dig the trees.

This disease will kill every tree not treated, no exceptions. It is currently as far south as the Indian River County line, help is needed quickly.