Tallest tropical rainforest trees

Above the canopy of tropical rainforests is what is known as the emergent layer, which consists of a small number of very large trees. The tallest of these is the kapok tree (Ceiba pentandra), which grows up to 60 m in height. It is characterized by grey, smooth trunks and an umbrella-shaped crown. They grow up to 4 m per year in height and can be found mainly in southern Mexico, the southern Amazon and West Africa.

Its fruit floats in water and it is probable that this is how the species spread to West Africa from South America. The Kapok tree is deciduous and sheds its leaves during the dry season.