The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has released a species recovery plan for the native Yellow Wood tree (Zanthoxylum flavum).

The Yellow Wood tree is one of the rarest trees in Bermuda. Early settlers discovered the tree had a beautiful yellow coloured wood that was hard and useful for building. By the 20th century the trees had almost been wiped out in Bermuda. The Yellow Wood does not do well when shaded by other trees, so it has been seriously impacted by competition from invasive species.

The Yellow Wood is protected under the Protected Species Act 2003 and this recovery plan addresses the need for conservation actions. Short-term objectives are to undertake genetic analysis of the species. Long-term objective include the implementation of the propagation and a monitoring programme.

Yellow Wood flowers. Photo by Robin Marirea.