During my time here in Guatemala, I have observed the abundance of plant life that creates vast ecosystems, bestowing beauty upon the beholder’s eye. Everywhere I look, there is life. From every angle you can imagine, you will see something green, tirelessly working day in and day out with no respite, no pause.

I’ve read that there are 502 different tree species in Guatemala, providing an abundance of greenery and life. It truly is a land of many trees. Some of the trees I find especially beautiful include the Ceiba tree, which is a spiritual tree native to Guatemala, holding significant importance. The Ceiba tree symbolizes, to the Mayan people, an axis that connects the realms of the underworld and the sky. These majestic trees can reach heights of up to 60 meters, and their canopies are umbrella-shaped, offering resistance to hurricanes. One particular Ceiba tree is known to be over 1500 years old, standing at a towering height of 50 meters with a trunk diameter of 9 meters. This tree is a symbol of life to the Mayan people.

Jocote is also a remarkably beautiful tree. It produces edible red fruit, about 4cm in length when ripe, containing a substantial seed and offering high nutritional value.

Another tree that has piqued my interest is the Amate tree. The Amate tree grows in a manner I had never seen before coming to Guatemala. It clings to rocks and extends its roots into the soil for anchorage and nutrients. It is exceptionally beautiful because of the strength and power it exudes. The rock it rests upon likely existed for thousands of years before the tree’s arrival and will endure long after the tree’s life cycle, continuing the cycle of rebirth. These trees can grow quite tall, reaching heights of approximately 65 feet and growing very wide. I vividly recall a splendid Amate tree on the property adjacent to IMAP.