Our fearless leader, Hank Ortiz, had the pleasure of spending a week in Costa Rica with his family, so ArborNote’s Tree of the Week is the Guanacaste tree (Enterolobium cyclocarpum). It is the majestic national tree of Costa Rica, famously declared a national symbol in 1959. Celebrated for its massive umbrella-like canopy and distinctive, ear-shaped seed pods, it symbolizes shade, protection, and the country’s rich natural heritage. It grows up to 120 feet tall with a sweeping canopy that can span 160 feet in diameter.The tree supports local wildlife by shedding its seed pods during the dry season, which are highly sought after as a food source by animals and cattle. In the Guanacaste Province, the trees act as a central gathering point in nearly every local town plaza!