Arborists will conduct extensive health testing on Lahaina’s fire-damaged banyan tree to determine if the park can safely reopen to visitors before year-end. The iconic tree survived the 2023 wildfire but officials discovered hidden damage including fungus beneath its bark.
- Maui County arborists will perform invasive testing including tension tests on branches and drilling into the trunk to check for sap production.
- Officials found fungus in a recently broken branch, raising concerns about internal damage not visible from the surface.
- The park could potentially reopen before the end of 2026 if the tree passes health assessments.
- Safety protocols and visitor education measures are being considered to protect the tree once public access resumes.
- The tree appeared to survive the August 2023 wildfire but sustained significant heat damage that dried out internal structures.
Source: Wwltv
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