The palmetto tree, with its fan-like branches, has long been closely associated with the history of the low country area, where it is symbolical of the defeat of the British fleet by the Sullivan's Island fort, built of Palmetto logs. The statuesque straight trunk (up to 80 feet tall) has a short rounded crown. African Americans made maluva (palm wine) from the center of the palm tree, a custom which is continued in Savannah, Georgia using the palmetto tree as the source of the potent brew.