Family: Burseraceae

Bursera simaruba (Gumbo limbo, West Indian birch) is a tree native to the Neotropics. These trees are rather hurricane-resistant, and are sometimes planted as a windblock for crops and roads, or as living fence posts. It is also utilized as a street tree in Florida, because the roots do not damage sidewalks or utilities. It is reported to be possibly naturalized in Bermuda, and is known to be naturalized on the Kona side of Hawaiʻi Island. Thriving in tropical climates and capable of growing in areas exceeding 1000m in altitude, the tree raises concerns about heightened fire risk, aided by its ability to reproduce both vegetatively and through fruit dispersal. Despite its adaptability, the tree has not been extensively cultivated, leaving the full extent of its impacts on ecosystems uncertain, with no reported negative consequences as of now.

High Risk Traits:

• Thrives in tropical climates
  
• Elevation range exceeds 1000 m, demonstrating some environmental versatility
  
• Naturalized in Kona, Hawaii and possibly naturalized in Bermuda
  
• Branches break easily
  
• Combustible resin in bark and wood could increase fire risk
  
• Facultatively Shade-tolerant
  
• Tolerates many soil types
  
• Reported to form pure stands
  
• Can reproduce vegetatively
  
• Viable seeds dispersed by birds and other frugivorous animals
  
• Regenerates swiftly after cutting and fires

Low Risk Traits:

• No reports of detrimental impacts or invasiveness to date (but not widely cultivated)
  
• Unarmed (no spines, thorns or burrs)
  
• Fodder tree (palatable to grazing animals)
  
• Non-toxic
  
• Ornamental
  
• Reaches maturity in 5-15 years
  
• Mostly self-incompatible (selfing rare)