Guanacaste
Enterolobium cyclocarpum · Fabaceae · also Elephant-ear tree, Ear pod tree, Parota, Caro
The national tree of Costa Rica, a huge spreading nitrogen-fixing tree to 40 m with a trunk to 3 m and a crown wider than it is tall, feathery leaves and glossy dark ear-shaped pods. It is the great pasture shade tree of Central America: cattle rest beneath it and eat the sweet pods in the dry season, and it shades coffee. It is far too big for gardens but ideal for parks, plazas and farmland.
Where it stands
Native
Care
Plant in full sun at 4 x 4 m or wider; it is shade intolerant and must dominate from the sapling stage. Weed carefully for the first years; prune to lengthen the bole if timber is wanted. Water the first dry season only. Resprouts vigorously after lopping. Few pests: parrots take green pods, a gall midge disrupts fruiting and Fusarium can drop limbs from old trees.
Benefits
Good for