The single mature Serianthes nelsonii tree on Guam, located at Ritidian Point (also known as Litekyan in CHamoru), succumbed to severe damage sustained during Typhoon Mawar in May of 2023. By September of 2024, 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 (a type of fungal infection) that worsened over two decades and had insect infestations. Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz Natural Resources Specialists alongside island partners continue to propagate the species. To preserve the genetics of the last mature tree on Guam, Joint Region Marianas will continue maintenance of young trees that originated from the Ritidian mother tree: 99 saplings growing at the MCB Camp Blaz Mason Live Fire Training Range Complex, 8 saplings growing at Andersen Air Force Base, and 100 saplings outplanted in the MCB Camp Blaz Caiguat Forest Enhancement Site. Through the collection and specialized storage of seeds since 2014, the future propagation of the 4,007 seeds from the Ritidian tree lineage will be utilized to continue the outplanting of trees on Guam in ungulate-free fenced areas. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Lance Cpl. Rey Moreno Marilao)

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