Canopy Trees
The canopy trees generally have an umbrella shaped flattened crown with branches radiating out from a single point near the canopy. This shape may also be influenced by other nearby trees that are competing for space and sunlight.
Leaves among the rainforest trees are also similar. Most have pointed ends known as drip tips that allow excess water to drop off the leaf. Most leaves are thick and waxy and contain many chemicals which stop herbivores from eating them.
The cecropia trees (very common) are large thin trees with large umbrella like lobed leaves. Their seeds can remain fertile in the soil for at least two years while waiting for a sufficient gap to occur (letting in the necessary light). When the opportunity arises cecropias grow quickly. This is because attempting to grow more quickly than surrounding vines and shrubs make sure they have the most possible sunlight. There is never a shortage of seeds waiting to seize the moment as a single female tree can produce over 900,000 seeds every time it fruits, which is often. The average height of a cecropia is 18 m although some emergent cecropias have been recorded at 40 m tall. An old cecropia would be around 30 years old. The trunks of cecropias are hollow, probably an adaptation to allow the tree to spend more energy in gaining height rather than in producing wood.
The ceiba or kapok tree is another species of tree requiring large amounts of light to grow. It is described as one of the most majestic trees of the forest, and is considered sacred by some tribes. The ceiba has buttressed roots, a smooth gray trunk leading to a wide flattened crown approximately 50 m up. Their branches radiate out horizontally. The leaves are compound and produce between five to eight leaflets that dangle down from long stalks. The branches contain many epiphytes and there are usually many lianas (vines) hanging from the tree. It is not unlikely for them to grow up to 3m in a year. They are most likely to be found along forest edges and around rivers. Palms grow throughout the rainforest and are distinguished from hardwoods by their characteristic fronds. Construction of tribal homes in the forest depends on several different species of palm trees. The coconut palm is grown throughout the tropics.
Leaves among the rainforest trees are also similar. Most have pointed ends known as drip tips that allow excess water to drop off the leaf. Most leaves are thick and waxy and contain many chemicals which stop herbivores from eating them.
The cecropia trees (very common) are large thin trees with large umbrella like lobed leaves. Their seeds can remain fertile in the soil for at least two years while waiting for a sufficient gap to occur (letting in the necessary light). When the opportunity arises cecropias grow quickly. This is because attempting to grow more quickly than surrounding vines and shrubs make sure they have the most possible sunlight. There is never a shortage of seeds waiting to seize the moment as a single female tree can produce over 900,000 seeds every time it fruits, which is often. The average height of a cecropia is 18 m although some emergent cecropias have been recorded at 40 m tall. An old cecropia would be around 30 years old. The trunks of cecropias are hollow, probably an adaptation to allow the tree to spend more energy in gaining height rather than in producing wood.
The ceiba or kapok tree is another species of tree requiring large amounts of light to grow. It is described as one of the most majestic trees of the forest, and is considered sacred by some tribes. The ceiba has buttressed roots, a smooth gray trunk leading to a wide flattened crown approximately 50 m up. Their branches radiate out horizontally. The leaves are compound and produce between five to eight leaflets that dangle down from long stalks. The branches contain many epiphytes and there are usually many lianas (vines) hanging from the tree. It is not unlikely for them to grow up to 3m in a year. They are most likely to be found along forest edges and around rivers. Palms grow throughout the rainforest and are distinguished from hardwoods by their characteristic fronds. Construction of tribal homes in the forest depends on several different species of palm trees. The coconut palm is grown throughout the tropics.