I grew up surrounded by wooded areas and accessible farmlands. Both offer never-ending adventures that are difficult to sustain once we enter the adult world.
Unless, of course, you have the pleasure of living in Martin County, Florida.
I am immediately transported back in time when I experience "Florida’s historical and intrinsic resources - cultural, historical, archeological, recreational, natural, and scenic."
Historic tree tunnels offer beautiful, fantastical, whimsical feelings.
It's easy to quickly fall in love with these two gems upon first sight - my favorite landscapes - one in Stuart and the other in Hobe Sound.
The Martin Grade, Stuart
Once I discovered this tree tunnel just a scant mile or so away from my home, I was hooked. Originally a logging trail, area cowboys used it for cattle drives in the early 1900s.
This step-back-in-time feel is courtesy of cabbage palms, maples, and stately oaks. Their raised arms join together to form a canopy above your pathway. The 12 miles serve as the western access to Martin County.
The fantastical escape remains my favorite momentary visit to the past. Disappointment wells up as I near the end and am forced to turn onto a barren highway.
Locals supposedly call it "The Grade," though I never heard it referred to that way. I didn't even realize it had a name beyond 'the cut-through.'
The Grade began as a logging trail. Over a century ago, it was used by area cowboys for cattle drives. Bordered by citrus groves and cattle ranches, and surrounded by woods, swamps, and pastures, generations of farmers and ranchers maintain residences there.
Martin Grade Scenic Highway (County Road 714) is situated with Lake Okeechobee to the west, the City of Stuart to the east, and the Allapattah Flats Wildlife Management Area to the south. Long after the tree canopy formed paving was carefully done to preserve the hundred-year-old oaks. The road improvements had the purpose of connecting the two county seats, Stuart and Okeechobee City.
Ficus Allee, Hobe Sound
It's hard to find appropriate words to describe the feeling you get when you approach Jupiter Island under the canopy of the twisty-trunked hundred-year-old banyan trees holding their outstretched arms over the road.
"Joseph Verner Reed (1902-1973) and Permelia Pryor Reed (1906-1994) were responsible in part for the Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge; the Hobe Sound Nature Center; the Blowing Rocks Preserve; Sand Hill Preserve; Harbor Island; and Ficus Allee, a 60-year-old strand of towering ficus trees."
The memorable tree tunnel, Ficus Allee, can be found on Bridge Road in Hobe Sound.
Joseph and Permelia Reed were the founding Jupiter Island family and environmental icons. Their goal was to preserve Jupiter Island's nature upon moving to Florida in the early 1930s.
The Reeds planted banyan trees on the Jupiter Island side of the bridge in the late 1930s to early 1940s, while the rest of the trees were added in the late 1940s to early 1950s.
Before the heartbreaking damage, many parked their cars to walk the relatively short tunnel on the conveniently located sidewalks and meandered through the massive trees.
This fairy tale atmosphere was once complete with flickering sunlight through the treetops. Imagine cutting through the Garden of Eden straight to the beach paradise.
Efforts are underway to save the trees that were uprooted by the tornado. Preserving the iconic tunnel will be an ongoing venture. If interested, you can help now and in the future.
Volunteer
Join the thousands of volunteers who participate in hands-on community improvement activities each year. The Keep Martin Beautiful volunteers take an active role in the betterment of Martin County and take personal responsibility for improving our quality of life.
You can assist with the two annual cleanup events and the year-round Adopt-A-Road program. Whether you are with a group or have an individual desire to preserve Florida's resources, a neighborhood or community cleanup can be organized at any time.
Keep Martin Beautiful encourages volunteers to contact them for help with logistics, supplies, promotion, and volunteer recruitment, and to help plan your cleanup for your business, school group, family, or civic organization.
I remember when the "Martin Grade" was just a dirt road and I just loved driving through the canopies, my mind would wander to "Gone with the Wind". The fight with the land owners with the State of Florida to save the trees! So glad that all of these gems of canopied roads have been saved for the future!
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