An emergent majestic tree of tropical rainforests, the Kapok tree can easily attain a towering height of 150 feet or even more.

Originated in the rainforests of South America, the kapok tree spread through out the primary rainforests of West Africa, Southern Asian rainforests of the Malaya peninsula, and the Indonesian archipelago.

Kapok trees have typically cylindrical straight trunks with generally grey color. The trunk diameter could be around 9 feet. Trunk has natural protection in the form of protruding large spines. Thin Plank type buttresses are helpful in providing stability to this giant tree is normally thin

The kapok tree crown is generally umbrella shaped. Its braches are fit for monkeys to hop around and birds for having their nests in it. Bromeliads are safer water pools for frogs.

Kapok is a drought deciduous tree and sheds off its leaves completely in tropical dry season. Leaves of this tree are palmate and compound. Prior to the leaves flowers open on this tree and bloom in clusters around the branches. Kapok flower is a typical 5-petal flower with creamy white or pale pink in color with unpleasant odor.

Leaves of the Kapok tree usually fall of once a year. Kapok flowers generally bloom after about every five to ten years period. Blooming of flowers happens normally after the sunset. Flowers having a foul smell attract bats to suck the nectar and bees suck the remaining nectar in early morning hours.

Kapok seeds are more peas like and rounded. These seeds occur in pods which are woody, smooth, and pendulous in light green color. Once the leaves have fallen off the Kapok tree the pods burst open on the tree itself. You can easily see the white cotton like fiber surrounding the brown seeds.

Kapok timber is much in demand simply because of the length of its trunk. The color of wood and straight grains adds to its beauty in commercial applications. In some parts of the world straight long trunks of this tree are used for making dugout canoes.

Another commercial application is based on the Kapok seeds which are used in pillows and mattresses. The white fluffy seed covering is best for this purpose. Owing to its buoyant and water resistance characteristics it is more suitable for making floatation devices and various padding’s.

Other parts of Kapok tree also find use in medicinal applications. Seeds, leaves, bark and resins of this tree are useful in designing medications for dysentery, asthma, fever, and kidney diseases.

Kapok wood is lightweight and porous in nature. This property makes it more suitable for making carvings, coffins, and several other things. Silky fiber is although not good for weaving but is extremely useful as stuffing purposes and as life preserver. It is equally applicable as an insulating material. Oil extracted from the Kapok seeds is also used in manufacturing soaps. Seeds can also be used as fertilizer.

In some parts of the world the Kapok tree is considered as sacred tree and people generally believe its majestic strength. It is also known as the “Tree of Life”.

Kapok Tree Pictures

Kapok Tree Videos

Kapok Tree Readers Theater	Chapter.10.Kapok Tree
Kapok Tree on the Shiripuno	Kapok Tree and the Shiripuno River

Kapok Tree Question & Answers

Kapok Tree Question: 1

is the kapok tree hardy in canada zone 6a?

Kapok Tree Question: 2

How do I correctly plant the seed for a kapok tree?

Does anyone even know what kind of tree this is? If you don't, I'll tell you that it is a magnificent-looking tree that grows anywhere up to 150 to 200 feet. The trunk of the tree is gnarly because its nothing but killer thorns to keep damage from happening to the trunk. (Talk about evolution.) The thorns are like rose-bush thorns on steroids, but the tree itself can be a spectacular addition to a big yard. Anyhow, I have some seeds and I'd like to know if anyone has some info on how to proceed. If you are interested, here's a link to follow if you want to know what it looks like;http://image40.webshots.com/41/4/36/50/373243650izJvmJ_ph.jpg

Answer: 1.
The ONLY thing I read about propagation of the Kapok is this:
"Propagation: This tree rarely sets seed in cultivation outside the tropics and is reputedly difficult to propagate. Some success can be obtained by rooting semi-ripe tip cuttings taken during a period of rapid shoot growth in a closed container with bottom heat."

I would just try dropping several seeds on some good quality potting soil, and sprinkling a little bit more soil on top. If they don't germinate, try something different. Try dropping the seeds on the soil with no soil on top.... Alot of times I put seeds on a paper towel that is moist, fold it, and place that in a ziplok baggie. Check it every few days to see if they've sprouted. Then you can plant those very, very gently in some good potting soil. Keep it moist. Kapok, as an adult tree does not like to dry out, and NO seedling likes to dry out.

Happy Gardening!