Here are five factslaps about the amazing Ceiba tree:

1. Buttress Roots: The Ceiba tree is known for its large buttress roots, which can extend waist-high and up to 20 feet from the trunk. These roots provide stability and support for the massive tree.
2. Cultural Significance: The Ceiba tree is considered sacred in many indigenous cultures, particularly among the Maya, who believe it connects the underworld, earth, and sky, symbolizing the universe’s structure.
3. Enormous Size: Ceiba trees can grow to immense sizes, reaching up to 230 feet (70 meters) in height, with massive trunks that can have a diameter of up to 10 feet (3 meters).
4. Kapok Fiber: The seed pods of the Ceiba tree contain a light, fluffy fiber known as kapok, traditionally used as stuffing for pillows, mattresses, and life jackets due to its buoyancy and water-resistant properties.
5. Ecological Role: Ceiba trees play a crucial role in their ecosystems, providing habitat and food for a wide variety of animals, including birds, bats, and insects, many of which are attracted to the tree’s flowers and fruit.