La Democracia, Belize — Central America
Ceiba Tree
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, May 14, 2017
1. Ceiba Tree Marker
Ceiba pentandra “Cotton Tree”
This Ceiba tree was planted in 1991
The Ceiba tree was the Sacred Tree of the Ancient Maya
Cotton-like fiber surrounds the seeds of the Ceiba Tree. These fibers are 8 times lighter than Cotton.
These same fibers were used to stuff life preserves during World War 2.
The root system of the Ceiba Tree is hollow and the tree can topple easily in a strong storm.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Horticulture & Forestry • War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1991.
Location. 17° 21.15′ N, 88° 33.199′ W. Marker is in La Democracia, Belize. Marker can be reached from Western Highway, 0.4 kilometers north of Coastal Highway. The marker is near the large ceiba at the Belize Zoo, at mile 29 on the Western Highway from Belize City towards Belmopan. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: La Democracia, Belize 7LLDZ KVQWW, Belize. Touch for directions.
Regarding Ceiba Tree. The fibers of the ceiba seed are known as kapok and were used in flotation devices and as cushions during the early to middle 20th century.
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Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, May 14, 2017
2. Ceiba Tree Marker
Unfortunately it was not possible to photograph the entire ceiba due the dense foliage at the Belize Zoo, but this photograph at least shows the size of its trunk after 25 years of growth.
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, May 14, 2017
3. The entrance to the Belize Zoo from the visitors parking lot
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, May 14, 2017
4. A jaguar at the Belize Zoo
Credits. This page was last revised on June 18, 2018. It was originally submitted on July 3, 2017, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. This page has been viewed 622 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 3, 2017, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana.
