11 Stunning Trees Native to Guatemala

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by Anna Munhin Mar 26, 2023 News
11 Stunning Trees Native to Guatemala
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There are a lot of different plants in the country of Guatemala. There are many native trees and shrubs in the country. Guatemala is a country in Central America that borders several countries. The country has amazing volcanic heights, gorgeous mountains, and relaxing beaches.

Plants and trees can be seen in the stunning places to visit in Guatemalan. Don't think we're right? Cuauhtmalln means "land of many trees" in the Nahuatl language.

We will only talk about a few in this article. You can learn more about the stunning trees native to the country.

1. The Guatemalan Fir (Abies guatemalensis)

Pinabete is a beautiful evergreen tree native to Central America. This tree can be found from southern Mexico to Honduras. This tree is in danger because of logging. Up until the 1940s, it was commonplace. The Guatemalan fir is taller than 115 feet. The tree is more plentiful in Honduras. The tree thrives best in mountains and mixed clouds.

Pinabete tree in danger of extinction in Guatemala, with birds on the tip.
Pinabete trees are native to Guatemala, but are sadly considered threatened.

Felix Mul is a photographer.

2. Chucum (Havardia albicans)

The chucum tree is a family of trees. It can reach up to 16 feet and has green leaves. Large brown seedpods are produced by this tree. The chucum tree is native to several countries. It is common in parts of the peninsula.

3. Central American Walnut (Juglans olanchana)

The Central American walnut tree is one of the native trees of several countries. It can grow up to 131 feet in size. It is about 4 to 5 feet wide and has a lot of small leaves. The leaves are more dark on the top. These trees are in the tropics. They can be found on the banks. The tree species is currently listed as "endangered" There are a lot of uses for the tree. The wood is hard and durable and is perfect for light construction and musical instruments.

4. White Sapote/Mexican Apple (Casimiroa edulis)

The white sapote trees are native to Mexico and Central America. The name of the tree is cochitzapotl. The trees are between 16 and 52 feet high. The leaves have something on them. When ripe, the fruit from the tree is inedible. The inside of the fruit has a variety of colors. The texture of the fruit is similar to that of an avowal.

Unripe and green
White sapote trees are about 16 to 52 feet tall.

RukiMedia/Shutterstock.com

5. Mexican Elm (Ulmus mexicana)

The Mexican elm is a large tree. The tree stretches about 8 feet. Mexican elm trees have deep grey trunks and dense foliage that casts a shadow. The leaves are glossy and bright. The Mexican elm flowers are wind-pollinated.

6. Bonpland Willow (Salix bonplandiana)

The Bonpland willow tree is native to the area. It is native to the south and west of Mexico. Sometimes it is planted in gardens and public spaces. Near Mexico City, there is a small cultivated form. It can grow up to 40 feet. The flowers are different colors. Bonpland willow is a native to the mountains.

Ahuejotes Trees (Salix bonplandiana) Bonpland willow, native tree of Xochimilco, Mexico
Bonpland willow trees are native to western Guatemala and are very abundant near Mexico City.

Raven/Shutterstock.com

7. Velvet Tree (Miconia calvescens)

The velvet tree is a member of the Melastomataceae family. It's native to Mexico and Central and South America, but it's a very bad invader in Hawaii. The trees are hardy. They flower multiple times a year. The flowers are pink and produce small purple fruits with hundreds of tiny seeds. The seeds can remain inactive for a long time. A tree with two flowers can produce 200,000 seeds in the first season. The trees are tall. The leaves are 3 feet tall.

A miconia calvescens in the forests of Colombia
Velvet trees are very invasive. Their seeds can stay dormant for up to 12 years.

cineG/Shutterstock.com

8. Guaracabuya/Guatapana (Libidibia coriaria)

Large shrubs native to the Caribbean, Central America, Mexico, and northern and western South America are called guaraca buya trees. There are other names for this tree. Trade winds can affect the tree's growth in coastal sites. The tree rarely reaches 30 feet tall. The trees have fruit that is 2 inches in diameter. The tree is old and has a long history, but it wasn't first described until 1777. The tree is used for Pods. Tannin and a black dye are provided by the Pods.

Close up Watapana pods and tree.(Libidibia coriaria)Common names include Divi-divi,Cascalote, Guaracabuya, Guatapana, Nacascol.
Guaracabuya trees have twisted pods as fruits used in the tanning industry.

Alohapatty/Shutterstock.com

9. Mexican Yellow Pine (Pinus oocarpa)

The Mexican yellow pine is one of the native trees in the area. It is also called ocote chino, pino amarillo, pino avellano, egg-cone pine, and ocote. The tree is abundant in both countries. It is also found in other countries. The tree thrives in warm weather of 59 to 75 F with 39 to 75-inch rain. Between 3000 and 7,900 feet is the preferred elevation of the tree. The tree species has been introduced to many countries in the paper industry.

Honduran pine tree - an evergreen tree in a conical shape
The Mexican yellow pine is a common tree in Guatemala and the national tree of Honduras.

LesPalenik/Shutterstock.com

10. Hicatee Fig (Ficus maxima)

The fig tree is native to the Caribbean, South America, Mexico, and Central America. The tree can reach up to 98 feet in height. Some leaves are narrow and some are ovular. The fig tree is important to the environment because it is a keystone species for communities of fruit eating animals. Birds and mammals spread seeds by eating fruit. Depending on the region, the hicatee fig tree can be used in many different ways. It is used to treat wounds from snakebites.

Huge beautiful Ficus maxima Fig tree in Playa del Carmen Quintana Roo Mexico.
The hicatee fig tree is also known as maja, amate, white fig, and caxinguba.

Arkadij Schell/shutterstock.com

11. The Caribbean Pine (Pinus caribaea)

The Caribbean pine is native to Central America and the west Indies. It is common in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The pine species lives in the tropics. The Pinus caribaea var.Hondurensis is the most common of the three Caribbean pine trees. This tree species is spread through fires. The Caribbean pine is fire resistant as it matures.

Pinus caribaea ( Called Caribbean Pine, Cuban Pine) plant. Caribbean pine is the best common name of this plant
The Caribbean pine is native to Central America and the northern West Indies.

Mulyasyah/Shutterstock.com

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