A massive banyan tree discovered during renovations at the Delray Beach Golf Club has sparked a preservation battle between Delray Beach city officials who want to protect what they believe may be the largest tree in South Palm Beach County and Lake Worth drainage officials who say it poses a flood risk.
Massive banyan tree may get chopped down
The tree, with a canopy spanning at least half an acre, was uncovered when construction crews cleared overgrown brush during the golf course renovation.
What the city initially believed was a row of banyan trees turned out to be one enormous tree.
“We were amazed at the size, the canopy of this tree is at least half an acre,” said Jason Kaufman, engineering division manager for the public works department in Delray Beach. “The city believes it’s a historic tree, it’s been here since at least the mid 1950s and it could qualify for certain designations.”…