They may be planted to serve as wind protection of crops and roads, or as living fence posts, and if simply stuck into good soil, small branches will readily root and grow into sizeable trees in a few years. Gumbo-limbo is also considered one of the most wind-tolerant trees, and it is recommended as a rugged, hurricane-resistant species in South Florida. It grows rapidly and is well adapted to several kinds of habitats, which include salty and calcareous soils (however, it does not tolerate boggy soils).
Gumbo-limbo is a very useful plant economically and ecologically. Gumbo Limbo, known as Copperwood in Jamaica on the grounds of Rose Hall, Montego Bay, Jamaica.
