Cecropia peltata aka Trumpet Tree

Cecropia peltata, or trumpet tree, belongs to the nettle family. Its range runs from Brazil and Colombia north to Mexico. It also grows in Central America and the Caribbean. It grows on moist limestone and in cleared ground. Pastures, thickets, and regrown woods also provide homes for it. Most sites lie below 2,953 feet [900 metres].

This fast-growing tree reaches about 66 feet [20 metres] tall. Its spread can reach 59 feet [18 metres]. A few thick branches rise high on the trunk. They curve upward to form a sparse, open crown. The leaves have a silver, felt-like coat beneath. A red sheath covers each new leaf bud. The trunk is often 0.3–1 foot [0.1–0.3 metres] thick. Some trunks reach 1.6 feet [0.5 metres] across. Prop roots can rise 3.3 feet [1 metre] above ground. The tree stays green where moisture lasts through the year. It briefly sheds its leaves in places with dry seasons.

Female flowers grow in spikes, and the tree is not self-fertile. Its finger-shaped fruits reach 0.33–0.39 feet [0.10–0.12 metres] long. Their sweet flesh has a soft, jelly-like texture. People eat the ripe fruit raw. Young leaves and flowers also go into broths. People sometimes cook young buds, though the source leaves their type unclear. Birds and fruit-eating bats spread the seeds. Bark and leaves have a history of medicinal use. These uses include treatments for kidney, heart, and liver ailments. Such records do not establish that these treatments work safely.

Grow this tree in sun and moist, well-drained soil. Reports also note growth in light shade and some drought tolerance. It accepts sand, loam, and clay, including poor, eroded ground. Mildly acid to neutral soil suits it. PFAF lists USDA hardiness zones 9–12. Fresh seed needs a sunny seedbed and may germinate poorly. Greenwood cuttings offer another means of raising plants.

Gardeners grow it for shade and its broad leaf crown. It also serves as a specimen tree in tropical gardens. As a pioneer, it helps cover damaged ground with new growth. Its inner bark yields strong fibre for rope and cord. Hollow branches and leaf stalks serve as tubes and trumpets. Yet it can invade native habitats outside its home range. Seeds sprout freely where sunlight reaches the ground.