ArborNote’s Tree of the Week was chosen by our sales mastermind, Daniel DiRocco. He chose the Sandbox Tree (Hura crepitans) or also known as the monkey no-climb tree! It is native to tropical regions of North and South America including the Amazon rainforest. It is also naturalized in parts of Africa with sufficient rainfall. It’s a large tree that grows 100-200 feet tall. This tree is famous for its dangerous defenses and explosive seed pods. The bark is smooth and brown, but heavily covered in sharp, pointed, cone-shaped spikes that deter climbers. It also secretes a milky, poisonous latex containing huratoxin, which causes severe skin rashes, blisters, and potential temporary or permanent blindness if it contacts the eyes. As the fruit dries and loses moisture, it violently explodes with a loud bang like a pistol shot, launching its seeds at speeds up to 150 mph across distances of up to 45 meters. Who knew trees could have such strong defense systems!