The bark is brownish gray and peels to reveal attractive and distinctive red underneath. The branches grow in a curved, contorted pattern that gives the tree an open and interesting shape. The trunk tends to split into several branches close to the ground. Trees tend to reach 25 to 50 feet (8-15 m.) tall at maturity, and they are sometimes wider than they are tall. It grows extremely fast– in the course of 18 months, it can go from a seed to a tree reaching 6 to 8 feet in height (2 m.). The tree is native to southern Florida and ranges throughout the Caribbean and South and Central America.
What is a gumbo limbo tree? Gumbo limbo ( Bursera simaruba) is an especially popular species of the genus Bursera. Keep reading to learn more gumbo limbo info, including gumbo limbo care and how to grow gumbo limbo trees. These trees are popular in hot climates as specimen trees, and especially for lining streets and sidewalks in urban settings. Gumbo limbo trees are big, very fast growing, and interestingly shaped natives of southern Florida.