The Guanacaste tree (Enterolobium cyclocarpum) is a widespread deciduous tree found in the neotropics from northern Brazil to southern Mexico. It is widely known as the national tree of Costa Rica and is a symbol of the Guanacaste province in northwest Costa Rica. Although it is found in many low elevation tropical forests, it is most commonly associated with tropical dry forests as well as pastures where it is often the only tree species left after clearing.  Why only this species was left is a matter of debate – some claim that the strong roots of the tree make it difficult to remove, others cite the nitrogen fixing ability as a benefit to pasture crops, and others (mostly tourists) just claim that it was too beautiful to cut down.  The endearing type image of a Guanacaste tree is taken from these pastures – a thick, stout truck with a bonzai-like canopy of leaves.   Humans have found multiple uses for the guanacaste tree, the seeds are used to create jewelry, and the unripened seedpods are boiled and eaten in Mexico. The tree itself is used a nitrogen-fixing shade tree in coffee plantations. Finally the wood is often used to create furniture. In terms of scientific value, guanacaste tree has been cited as a model system to understand how landscape features impact fine scale genetic variation.

--Nic Kooyers