| Reflections of Manatee |
| Education ● Protection ● Preservation ● Conservation ● History |
| Conservation |
Reflections of Manatee, Inc. began in a residential neighborhood covered in a
reason that we would pick conservation and preservation as goals for
volunteering in our community. Trees became a tool for conservation. Not only did
we begin to look at the trees in our neighborhood for their size and health, but also
the bigger picture of trees within the Urban Setting. We realized that these same
trees, while growing, 'watched' as the history passed under their branches. We
gained a new understanding of their importance and began to look for ways we,
as tomorrows past, could protect them for the future.
What trees do for us?
How important are trees to our economy?
Over the course of 50 years, a single tree can generate $31,250 of oxygen, provide
$62,000 worth of air pollution control, recycle $37,500 worth of water, and control
$31,500 worth of soil erosion. The trees that are in this area have been
contributing to our economy, health and well-being for 100 to 200 years.
reason that we would pick conservation and preservation as goals for
volunteering in our community. Trees became a tool for conservation. Not only did
we begin to look at the trees in our neighborhood for their size and health, but also
the bigger picture of trees within the Urban Setting. We realized that these same
trees, while growing, 'watched' as the history passed under their branches. We
gained a new understanding of their importance and began to look for ways we,
as tomorrows past, could protect them for the future.
What trees do for us?
- Trees increase the community's economic well-being by providing beauty
that in turn encourages residency. - Trees create shade, lowering fuel needs thus decreasing pollution.
- Trees improve the quality of life for all inhabitants, humans and wildlife
alike.
How important are trees to our economy?
Over the course of 50 years, a single tree can generate $31,250 of oxygen, provide
$62,000 worth of air pollution control, recycle $37,500 worth of water, and control
$31,500 worth of soil erosion. The trees that are in this area have been
contributing to our economy, health and well-being for 100 to 200 years.
Conservation at Manatee Mineral Spring
Blackbead (Catclaw) Tree
(Pithecellobium unguis-cati)
State and National Champion
In 2007, the State of Florida Division of Forestry with the assistance of Southwest Florida Water Management
horticulturist, Elissa Mirabelli and Dave DeWitt, P. G. identified the Catclaw Tree growing adjacent to the Manatee
Mineral Spring as a State Champion and assisting in the nomination of it to the National Register of Big Trees as a
Champion tree. It is now listed in the 2008-2009 National Register of Big Trees.
The Catclaw is usually a shrub or small tree growing only to 9.6 to 28.8 feet in height and 1.6 to 5.2 inches in stem
diameter.
Manatee Spring Catclaw has grown to
Height: 78 Feet
Circumference (at 4.5 feet above ground): 173 inches
Average Crown Spread: 93 Feet
As stated at the American Forests: National Register of Big Trees website for this particular tree:
"Ecosystem Services:
It would cost $752.73 to replace the storm water control service provided by this tree, based on the engineering
standards used in the building industry. The same tree removes 4.26 lbs. of nitrogen, sulfur, ozone and particulate
matter every year."
Benefits and History:
This heavy wood was harvested for ship building, used for the mast. Native Americans used the wood for bows, and
the beads for necklaces. The species was planted to form impenetrable hedges. Catclaw is listed as a nitrogen
fixing species. The fruits are one of the food plants used by local wild parrots, and the endangered yellow-shouldered
amazon parrot. The large orange sulfur and the Miami blue butterflies both use the Catclaw as rearing plants for
their larva. A small treehopper insect has developed an extended thorax that mimics a Catclaw thorn and serves as
protective camouflage.
Blackbead (Catclaw) Tree
(Pithecellobium unguis-cati)
State and National Champion
In 2007, the State of Florida Division of Forestry with the assistance of Southwest Florida Water Management
horticulturist, Elissa Mirabelli and Dave DeWitt, P. G. identified the Catclaw Tree growing adjacent to the Manatee
Mineral Spring as a State Champion and assisting in the nomination of it to the National Register of Big Trees as a
Champion tree. It is now listed in the 2008-2009 National Register of Big Trees.
The Catclaw is usually a shrub or small tree growing only to 9.6 to 28.8 feet in height and 1.6 to 5.2 inches in stem
diameter.
Manatee Spring Catclaw has grown to
Height: 78 Feet
Circumference (at 4.5 feet above ground): 173 inches
Average Crown Spread: 93 Feet
As stated at the American Forests: National Register of Big Trees website for this particular tree:
"Ecosystem Services:
It would cost $752.73 to replace the storm water control service provided by this tree, based on the engineering
standards used in the building industry. The same tree removes 4.26 lbs. of nitrogen, sulfur, ozone and particulate
matter every year."
Benefits and History:
This heavy wood was harvested for ship building, used for the mast. Native Americans used the wood for bows, and
the beads for necklaces. The species was planted to form impenetrable hedges. Catclaw is listed as a nitrogen
fixing species. The fruits are one of the food plants used by local wild parrots, and the endangered yellow-shouldered
amazon parrot. The large orange sulfur and the Miami blue butterflies both use the Catclaw as rearing plants for
their larva. A small treehopper insect has developed an extended thorax that mimics a Catclaw thorn and serves as
protective camouflage.
Scout Project, for the Southwest Florida
Council of Boy Scouts of America. A 14 year
old scout named Will Williams organized the
project that would assist in his earning Eagle
Rank, the highest achievement in Boy
Scouting. The boys traveled to Clewiston,
Florida to the Hammock family farm, part of
the US Sugar Co-op to cut the sugarcane.
Southern Farm Equipment of Ellenton In
October 1998, our first crop of Sugarcane
donated use of a brand new John Deere was
planted under the direction of an Eagle Scout
Project, for the Southwest Florida Council of
Boy Scouts of America. A 14 year old scout
named Will Williams organized the project
that would assist in his earning Eagle Rank,
the highest achievement in Boy Scouting. The
boys traveled to Clewiston, Florida to the
Hammock family farm, part of the US Sugar
Co-op to cut the sugarcane. Southern Farm
Equipment of Ellenton In October 1998, our
first crop of Sugarcane donated use of a
brand new John Deere Tractor. Local
mailman Jeff Baker prepared and tilled the
soil after work. Then with shovel and hoe the
boys and many neighborhood children
planted the sugarcane, growing ½ acre of
cane to be used for historical education about
the early pioneers of the area.
Every year since, costumed volunteers
demonstrate grinding sugarcane and cooking
the juice into cane syrup or molasses.
Demonstrations can be seen on site at
various times from November to March, at
Gamble Plantation’s open house in March or
December, at Collier County Museum Florida
Festival, the last weekend in March, the first
Saturday after the New Year at the spring
property and other locations during the year.
Visitors are encouraged to participate by
pushing the grinding wheel and tasting the
juice. Syrup and molasses are available at
historical events.
Council of Boy Scouts of America. A 14 year
old scout named Will Williams organized the
project that would assist in his earning Eagle
Rank, the highest achievement in Boy
Scouting. The boys traveled to Clewiston,
Florida to the Hammock family farm, part of
the US Sugar Co-op to cut the sugarcane.
Southern Farm Equipment of Ellenton In
October 1998, our first crop of Sugarcane
donated use of a brand new John Deere was
planted under the direction of an Eagle Scout
Project, for the Southwest Florida Council of
Boy Scouts of America. A 14 year old scout
named Will Williams organized the project
that would assist in his earning Eagle Rank,
the highest achievement in Boy Scouting. The
boys traveled to Clewiston, Florida to the
Hammock family farm, part of the US Sugar
Co-op to cut the sugarcane. Southern Farm
Equipment of Ellenton In October 1998, our
first crop of Sugarcane donated use of a
brand new John Deere Tractor. Local
mailman Jeff Baker prepared and tilled the
soil after work. Then with shovel and hoe the
boys and many neighborhood children
planted the sugarcane, growing ½ acre of
cane to be used for historical education about
the early pioneers of the area.
Every year since, costumed volunteers
demonstrate grinding sugarcane and cooking
the juice into cane syrup or molasses.
Demonstrations can be seen on site at
various times from November to March, at
Gamble Plantation’s open house in March or
December, at Collier County Museum Florida
Festival, the last weekend in March, the first
Saturday after the New Year at the spring
property and other locations during the year.
Visitors are encouraged to participate by
pushing the grinding wheel and tasting the
juice. Syrup and molasses are available at
historical events.
| The Importance of Sugarcane in our Conservation Efforts |
| Sugar Cane is Good for the Environment! In this 1/2 acre field of sugar cane 16.1 tons of harmful carbon dioxide is being removed from our air and gives us back 1.5 tons of fresh oxygen! In a single stalk of sugar cane there is 6 teaspoons of molasses, 30 teaspoons of sugar and 4 1/4 cups of water! Our entire field has 2 tons of sugar! |
| Conservation and Documentation of Trees and Plants |
| Catclaw seedpod & blooms |
| 25 ft Black Mangrove |
| Urban Forest Canopy |
Red Cedar Grove
| 200 plus year old Live Oaks |
| We sit under the shade of a tree today because someone planted a seedling years ago - Warren Buffett (renowned investor) |
| Jeff Williams, Terry McIntosh and their boiling pot of syrup |
| Will Williams' Eagle Scout project |
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