LOOK. 150-year-old banyan tree in Lahaina shows new life after devastating wildfires | Abroad

Planted in 1873, this historic banyan tree is a cultural landmark and stands in the courthouse square on Lahaina’s iconic Front Street. That is a place on the west coast of the island of Maui.

The banyan tree is the largest of its kind in the United States, rising more than 60 feet above the ground. It appears as if there are multiple trees, because the bodhi tree has the power to grow additional trunks from its roots, resulting in approximately 46 large trunks.

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Local landscape contractor Chris Imonti emphasizes that the growing leaves of the banyan tree are a sign of hope for the community, which has been hit hard by the recent fires.

Imonti is working with the volunteers and Hawaii State Landscaper Steve Nimz to save the tree. Although about 75 percent of the tree is already showing new growth, they are keeping a close eye on the part of the tree in the northeast due to the intense heat during the fire.

The fire also caused severe soil heating, making it difficult for the soil to absorb water. That’s why some volunteers pour more than 5,000 liters of water on the tree every day to rehydrate the roots. They also make natural compost tea for the damaged tree, this helps the water to penetrate the scorched soil. “We are seeing good results with the compost tea and as long as we give it enough love, I think it will be fine,” said Imonti.

“I think the tree is the last thing on a lot of people’s minds right now,” the landscape contractor admitted to news site ‘CNN’. But he hopes the tree can be “a good vehicle for change” and remain a sign of hope for Lahaina’s long road to recovery.