Last mature Serianthes Nelsonii tree dies, efforts underway to grow more

The last Serianthes Nelsonii tree on Guam has died.

Officials at Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz confirmed the single mature tree located at Ritidian Point or Litekyan suffered severe damage during Typhoon Mawar in May 2023.

Officials confirmed by September of this year, there was no living tissue observed on the decomposing remains of the tree.

Leading up to the typhoon, the Ritidian tree was already in very poor condition due to a split trunk that led to heart rot that worsened over two decades and had insect infestations.

Now, these trees are known to grow in limestone forest habitats and also on clay soils of southern Guam. It's a large canopy tree that can reach heights of more than 90-feet.

Currently, there are 49 mature trees and 74 out-planted trees on Rota.

Efforts are ongoing to revive them on Guam with 383 seedlings recorded.