FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--To honor Earth Day, Marina Lofts developer Asi Cymbal hosted an Earth Day event for nationally recognized arborists and other environmental experts at the downtown site of the Fort Lauderdale Rain Tree. The presenters explained the process of preserving and transplanting trees, and described how the Rain Tree will be safely relocated to the new Rain Tree Park.
Environmental Design, the nation’s premier mover of giant and endangered trees, will oversee the Fort Lauderdale Rain Tree’s preservation and relocation to Rain Tree Park, where it will be accessible to the public for the first time in over a decade. Paul Cox, vice president at Environmental Design, spoke about his experience transplanting trees and leading preservation projects, including the National Christmas Tree, relocation of historic trees at the Supreme Court of the United States, installation of trees at the National 9/11 Memorial in lower Manhattan, and the successful transplantation of the largest tree ever moved in North America.
“I have overseen the successful move of hundreds of trees, many larger than this spectacular Rain Tree,” Cox said. “Our experience and technically advanced process will ensure that this tree can be enjoyed and appreciated for decades to come.”
Cox continued with some key statistics: “Environmental Design has a 100 percent success rate preserving trees weighing over 1 million pounds, with our largest relocation weighing in at approximately 1.5 million pounds. We estimate that the Fort Lauderdale Rain Tree weighs approximately 1 million pounds.”
Arborist Bob Brennan, owner of Brennan Arboricultural Consulting, has over 43 years of experience in Arboriculture, and is a leading expert in the field. He spoke about his recommendation to Asi Cymbal. “I told Asi that the safest strategy for our Rain Tree is for us to move it to Rain Tree Park. In this new location, our Rain Tree will be free of construction debris and can flourish in full sun.”
Asi Cymbal concluded the Earth Day event by noting, “Marina Lofts is the most eco-friendly, environmentally sustainable development in Florida, a LEED-certified project that will preserve 78 trees including our magnificent African Rain Tree. Our Rain Tree will be the heart of our downtown community and highlight our union of environment, art, architecture, and urbanism.”
About Marina Lofts, Fort Lauderdale
Marina Lofts is a mixed-use community in downtown Fort Lauderdale that brings together affordable luxury residential units, live-work units, retail, restaurants, and a marina. This eco-friendly community is designed by world-renowned architect Bjarke Ingels, and provides urban living for a downtown and design-driven crowd. Marina Lofts combines sustainable development with iconic architecture. It preserves and enhances the marine industry, enables multi-modal development in the city’s urban core, sustains and advances the local environment, and furthers the vision for the future of Fort Lauderdale. For more information about Marina Lofts, please visit http://www.marinaloftsfortlauderdale.com/
