ArborNote’s Tree of the Week is the Red Cotton Tree (Bombax ceiba). It has a broad region spanning tropical and subtropical Asia down to northern Australia. When the tree is young, it grows as a strikingly straight, narrow column heavily guarded by sharp spines. As it matures, the main trunk remains a solid central pillar, while its massive canopy expands into dramatic, wide-reaching layers supported by large, flared buttress roots at the base to balance its immense weight. It’s famous for its brilliant red or orange-red cup-shaped flowers that bloom on bare branches, which is a favorite for parks and communal areas. The heavy nectar production draws busy crowds of localized birds, bees, and butterflies as soon as the blossoms open. It produces woody capsules containing seeds packed with silky, cotton-like fluff (called kapok) used for insulation and stuffing for pillows and mattresses. It also serves as the official city flower of Guangzhou, China.