State and Private Forestry

• Champion trees of Puerto Rico

The USDA Forest Service International Institute of Tropical Forestry is pleased to present a list of Champion Trees of Puerto Rico. The list is constantly being updated as new submissions come in.

To be eligible, the nomination of a candidate tree must include: 1) the scientific name of the species, 2) trunk circumference at 4.5 ft above the ground midway between the high and low sides of the tree, 3) total tree height, 4) crown spread in 2 opposite directions, 5) detailed location of the tree, and 6) names of a sponsor (nominator) and co-sponsor.

Total points used to determine a champion are calculated by the American Forests rules: Total points = circumference in inches + height in feet + 1/4 average crown spread in feet. Any native or common exotic tree species may be submitted. With over 800 species of trees on the island, everyone can join in the fun.

Of particular interest, is the largest tree in Puerto Rico, a ceiba (Ceiba pentandra) growing near Villalba. It measured 779.5 inches in circumference (20.7 feet in diameter). The Giant Ceibas of Mayaguez and Ponce were similar in diameter, but many feet shorter. In terms of total points, the champion redwoods, bigtree sequoia, and a western redcedar of the United States are the only trees that exceed the Puerto Rican champion ceiba.

The tallest tree before Hurricane Hugo was a 149-foot casuraina (Casuarina equisetifolia) in the Caribbean National Forest near Sabana. After the destruction of this and many of the tallest trees by hurricanes Hugo and Georges, it is uncertain which is the tallest tree on the Island today.

The distinction of having the greatest crown spread goes to a Benjamin fig (Ficus benjamina) growing on the grounds of the Agricultural Experiment Station in Río Piedras. It extends an average of 189 feet; however, it might be more accurately described as a clone formed of many aerial roots grown into stems from interconnected and ever-spreading branches.

(Note: many of the champions have not yet been visited and re-measured following Hurricane Georges. Consequently many champions may no longer exist or may have lost crown height or spread. The scientific names of those that have been visited are printed in bold typeface. For further information on the species, please the link to the corresponding page in the Spanish version of Silvics of Native and Exotic Trees of Puerto Rico and the Caribbean Islands.)

Each species is listed first by its scientific name, then common name. Following the tree’s name is its circumference (in), height (ft), crown spread (ft), and then total points. Then comes the tree’s location, name of its nominator, and when it was last measured.

John K. Francis,

Research Forester Program coordinator

Species scientific names

• Acrocomia media O.F. Cook 54.0 45.9 102.7
  • Coroso
  • Location: Barceloneta, Bosque Cambalache, ½ mile beyond Las Tecas campground, W side of road
  • Nominator: John Francis (last measured 2000)

• Adenanthera pavonina L. 67.8 77.1 37.1 154.2
• Peronias, jumbie-bead
• Location: Quebradillas, Bosque Guajataca, 2 m W of highway, about ¼ mi S of campground
• Nominator: John Francis (last measured 2000)

• Agathis robusta (F.J. Muell.) F.M. Bailey 154.9 78.7 46.9 245.3
• Queensland kauri
• Location: Río Grande, PR 191, E. side of road between Coco Falls and Yokahu Tower
• Nominator: John Francis (last measured, 1999)

• Aiphanes acanthophylla (Mart.) Burret 17.8 55.8 14.8 77.3
• Palma de coyor
• Location: Arecibo, Bosque Río Abajo, first road in after HQ, right fork, 7 m to right, just as road plunges into canyon
• Nominator: John Francis (last measured 2000)

• Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth. 136.3 57.4 54.0 207.2
• Tibit, lebbek
• Location: Fajardo, PR 987, Km 5.5, Restaurant Sardinera
• Nominator: Alberto Rodríguez (last measured 2000)

• Aleurites moluccana (L.) Willd. 181.8 60.7 42.3 253.1
• Candlenut, nuez de vela
• Location: Río Grande, Caribbean National Forest, Arboretum, Aleurites plot, center
• Nominator: John Francis (last measured, 2000)

• Anthocephalus cadamba (Roxb.) Miq.130.1 83.6 44.0 224.7
• Kadam
• Location: Río Grande, Caribbean National Forest, Arboretum, Anthocephalus plot, creek bottom
• Nominator: Alberto Rodríguez (last measured, 2000)

• Araucaria heterophylla (Salisb.) Franco79.4 95.1 19.8 179.5
• Norfolk Island pine
• Location: Ponce, Bo. Rambla, Castilla con Navarra, No. 417
• Nominator: John Parrotta (last measured 2000)

• Bauhinia monandra Kurz 32.8 38.2 23.6 76.9
• Mariposa, butterfly tree
• Location: Barranquitas, Cañón San Cristobal, middle of restoration plot (old house place) 10 N. side of draw
• Nominator: Nelson Repollet (last measured, 2000)

• Beilschmiedia pendula (Sw.) Hemsl. 67.3 86.1 4.3 157.6
• Aguacate cimarrón
• Location: Luquillo, 18 m from the first observation tower at Bisley Watershed Experimental area
• Nominator: Juan Ramírez (last measured, 1999)

• Buchenavia capitata (Vahl) Eichl. 237.5 105.3 63.0 358.5
• Granadillo
• Location: Luquillo
• Nominator: Nelson Repollet (last measured, 1995)

• Bucida buceras L. 346.7 88.6 84.0 456.3
• Black olive, ucar
• Location: Manatí, PR 6685 km 5.5, E side of road
• Nominator: Salvador Alemañy (last measured, 2000)

• Bursera simaruba (L.) Sarg.78.4 45.9 39.2 134.1
• Gumbo limbo, almácigo
• Location: Coamo
• Nominator:Alberto Rodríguez (last measured, 1992)

• Byrsonima spicata (Cav.) HBK. 115.0 42.6 49.7 170.0
• Maricao
• Location: Barranquitas, PR 151, Km 1.1 (exactly), west side of the road
• Nominator: Rafael Rivera (last measured 2000)

• Calophyllum calaba L. 106.5 41.0 36.6 156.6
• María
• Location: Maricao, Maricao State Forest, 100 m W of Forest Headquarters
• Nominator: John Francis (last measured, 2001)

• Calophyllum inophyllum L.100.4 75.4 16.7 191.9
• María grande
• Location: San Juan, Urb. Sta. Ana, Calle Duke 1008
• Nominator: Alberto Rodríguez (last measured, 1999)

• Capparis amplissima Lam.101.8 42.6 30.8 152.1
• Burro blanco
• Location: Coamo, PR 14 Hm 34.4, front of AAA pumping plant
• Nominator: John Francis (last measured, 2000)

• Cassia javonica L. 160.0 49.2 54.4 222.9
• Pink cassia, casia rosada
• Location: San Juan, Marginal PR 1 1575, front of Arteaga y Arteaga
• Nominator: John Parrotta (last measured, 1999)

• Castilla elastica Cerv. 116.7 97.9 67.6 231.5
• Caucho, castilla rubber
• Location: Utuado
• Nominator: Salvador Alemañy (last measured, 1992)

• Casuarina equisetifolia J.R. & G. Forst. 176.5 33.0 48.9 221.7
• Pino australiano, casuarina
• Location: Maunabo
• Nominator: John Francis (mast measured, 1993)

• Catalpa longissima (Jacq.) Dum.-Cours.114.8 90.2 45.6 216.4
• Haiti catalpa, roble dominicano
• Location: Mayaguez, UPR Campus, behind Monzón building
• Nominator: John Francis (last measured, 2000)

• Cavanillesia platanifolia H.B.K. 312.4 98.4 53.5 424.2
• Quipo
• Location: Mayaguez, Tropical Research Station, near stone house
• Nominator: Alberto Rodríguez (last measured, 2000)

• Cecropia peltata L. 157.7 90.2 58.5 262.5
• Yagrumo hembra, trumpet tree
• Location:
• Nominator: John Francis (last measured, 1992)

• Cedrela odorata L. 334.9   105.0 98.6 464.5

Cedro, Spanish cedar Location: Ciales, PR 149 km 26.9, Finca Ramón Colom Nominator: Salvador Alemañy (last measured, 2000)

• Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaertn. 779.5   121.4   101.4 926.2

Ceiba, cotton silk tree Location: Villalba, Hacienda Limón Nominator: Salvador Alemañy (last measured, 2000)

• Chrysophyllum caimito L.84.4 59.0 49.5 155.8

Caimito, star apple Location: San Juan, InterAmerican University campus, SE of main building Nominator: John Parrotta (last measured, 1999)

• Chrysophyllum oliviforme L.  72.0 60.0 55.0 145.8

Caimito de perro Location: Río Grande Nominator: Miguel Figueroa (last measured, 1989)

• Clusia clusioides (Griseb.) D’Arcy69.0 42.6 40.8 121.8

Cupeíllo Location: Maricao Nominator: Alberto Rodríguez (last measured, 1993)

• Coccoloba pubescens L.  96.1 59.0 45.3 166.4

Moralón Location: Maricao Nominator: John Francis (last measured, 1992)

• Coccoloba pyrifolia Desf.  54.2 57.4 36.1 120.6

Uvera Location: Isabela Nominator: Nelson Repollet (last measured, 1995)

• Cocos nucifera L. 55.7 77.1 9.8 135.3

Coconut, coco Location: Carolina, PR 187, 75 m N. of Hywy, 35 m S/SE of house with rock face Nominator: Ivan Vicéns (last measured, 2000)

• Columbrina arborescens (Miller) Sarg.  57.0 59.0 22.8 122.4

Coffee columbrina, abeyuelo Location: San Sebastián Nominator: Salvador Alemañy (last measured, 1992)

• Cordia alliodora (R. & P.) Oken 91.7 72.8 78.7 184.2

Capá prieto  Location: Isabela Nominator: Salvador Alemañy (last measured, 1992)

• Cordia collococca Vahl.155.2 29.5 30.5 192.4

Cereza, red manjack Location: Salinas, Camp Santiago, E. of barracks 439 Nominator: John Francis (last measured, 1999)

• Cordia sulcata DC. 52.7 84.5 32.6 145.4

White manjack Location: Utuado Nominator: Ivan Vicéns (last measured, 1995)

• Cresentia cajete L. 65.8 32.8 34.4 107.2

Calabash

Location: Barceloneta, PR 682 km 5.7, 3 m from S side of road

Nominator: John Francis (last measured, 2000)

• Cupania triquetra A. Rich. in Sagra57.6   105.0 35.1 171.4

Guara blanca

Location: Utuado

Nominator: John Francis (last measured, 1990)

• Cupressus lusitanica Mill.113.8  95.1   21.0 214.2

Mexican cypress, Ciprés

Location: Villalba, Bosque Toro Negro, on brow of ridge about 400 m N of head of Lago Guineo, S-facing slope

Nominator: John Francis (last measured, 1999)

• Cyrilla racemiflora L.  254.0  69.0   34.4 331.6

Swamp cyrilla, palo colorado

Location: Luquillo

Nominator: Samuel Moya (last measured, 1992)

Gomier, tabonuco

Location: Luquillo

Nominator:

• Dendropanax arboreous (L.) Decne. & Planch.   76.4 41.0 21.8 122.9

Muñeca

Location: Ciales, old Hacienda Negro, PR 149 km 35, ¾ mile up dirt road, 100 m above North side of upper E-W segment, near champion Guarea guidonia

Nominator: Ivan Vicéns (last measured, 2000)

• Drypetes lateriflora (Sw.) Krug & Urban71.6 75.4 49.9 159.5

Guiana-plum, cueriduro

Location: Isabela

Nominator: John Francis (last measured, 1992)

Guanacaste, earpod tree

Location: Arecibo, in lot of house opposite slaughterhouse

Nominator: Salvador Alemañy (last measured, 2001)

• Erythrina poeppigiana (Walp.) O.F. Cook 296.3   101.7 72.5 416.1

Giant immortelle, Buquaillo

Location: Villalba, Hacienda Limón

Nominator: Salvador Alemañy (last measured, 2000)

• Eucalyptus deglupta Blume 101.4 67.2 39.9 178.6

Deglupta

Location: San Juan, UPR Botanic Garden, IITF campus, E. of soils lab

Nominator: John Francis (last measured, 1999)

• Eucalyptus grandis Hill ex Maiden 126.5   124.6 37.6 260.5

Rose gum, “hibrido”

Location: Río Grande, Caribbean National Forest, Arboretum, Eucalyptus grandis plot, center above drop-off

Nominator: John Francis (last measured, 2000)

• Eucalyptus robusta J.E. Smith  179.7   118.7 32.3 314.6

Swamp mahogany, robusta

Location: Patillas, Bosque Carite, 10 m North of trail to Charco Azul, 2/3 of the way near the third bridge

Nominator: John Francis (last measured, 1999)

Benjamin fig, laurel benjamin

Location: San Juan, UPR Botanic Garden, NE of UPR Admin. Offices

Nominator: John Francis (last measured, 1999)

• Ficus trigonata L. 390.3 85.3 84.3 496.7

Jagüe

Location: Río Grande, PR 988 ½ km E of Ranger Station, 100 m from west side of road

Nominator: Miguel Figueroa (last measured, 1999)

• Ficus nekbuda Warb. 786.6 75.4   145.6 858.9

African clothbark tree

Location: Guaynabo, PR 1, just N of intersection with PR 20, front of Panaderia 24 hr.

Nominator: John Francis (last measured, 1999)

• Ficus sintenisii Warb. 235.6 45.9 62.8 297.2

Jagüey colorado

Location: San Juan, UPR Botanic Garden, IITF campus, just S of main building

Nominator: John Francis (last measured, 1999)

• Fraxinus uhdei (Wenzig) Lingelish. 152.0   100.1 69.0 269.3

Fresno, tropical ash

Location: Adjuntas

Nominator: Salvador Alemañy (last measured, 1992)

Palma de lluvia

Location: Arecibo, Bosque Cambalache, 50 m W of old post plant site

Nominator: John Francis (last measured, 2000)

• Genipa americana L. 63.7   105.0 34.3 177.3

Jagua, genipa

Location: Arecibo

Nominator: John Francis (last measured, 1992)

• Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Kunth ex Walp. 76.2  50.8 41.6 139.4

Mother of cocoa, mataraton

Location: Sabana Grande, PR 368 150 m E. of junction with PR 365 on fence row, S. side of road

Nominator: John Francis (last measured 2001)

• Guarea guidonia (L.) Sleumer 167.3 77.1 42.1 254.9

Guaraguao

Location: Ciales, old Hacienda Negro, PR 149 km 35, ¾ mile up dirt road, 100 m above North side of upper E-W segment

Nominator: Ivan Vicéns (last measured 2000)

• Guatteria blainii  66.4 72.2 25.7 145.0

Logwood, campeche

Location: Sabana Grande, PR 121, front of cemetery

Nominator: John Francis (last measured 2001)

• Hibiscus elatus   101.0   115.6 52.5 229.7

Blue mahoe, majó

Location: Isabela

Nominator: Salvador Alemañy (1992)

• Hirtella rugosa Pers.  11.6 19.7 13.1   34.6

Icaquillo

Location: Patillas, Bosque Carite, Charco Azul picnic area, west of highway, stream bank

Nominator: John Francis (1999)

• Homalium racemosum Jacq. 160.4   124.0  7.4 291.9

Caracolillo

Location: Luquillo, trail from Bisley to Río Mameyes in Bisley plot C

Nominator: Samuel Moya (last measured 1999)

• Hura crepitans L. 256.3 55.8 65.9 328.6

• Myrcia leptoclada DC.  19.8 34.4 24.9   60.4

Guayabacón

Location: Río Grande, Caribbean National Forest, El Verde, Quebrada Aguacate

Nominator: Juan Ramírez (last measured 2000)

• Myrcia splendens39.1 41.0 25.5   86.5

Hoja menuda

Location: Sabana Grande

Nominator: Juan Ramírez (last measured 1996)

Flamboyan amarillo

Location: Utuado

Nominator: Salvador Alemañy (last measured 1992)

• Petitia domingensis 48.2 57.4 14.9 109.4

Capá blanco

Location: Río Grande, S side of PR 186 just E of Cuerpo de Voluntarios, 10 m E of pump house

Nominator: Juan Ramírez (last measured, 1999)

• Pilosocereus royenii (L.) Byles & Rowley42.5   34.4 19.5   81.8

Dildo, pipe-organ cactus

Location: Salinas, National Guard Base, northern E-W road, just across river, draw to left, ½ way up, 40 m on right of dry creek bed

Nominator: John Francis (last measured 2000)

• Pimenta racemosa50.6 62.3 32.8 121.1

Bay rum, malageta

Location: Mayaguez, Tropical Research Station, S. of central drive

Nominator: John Francis (last measured 2000)

• Pinus caribaea 90.6 91.3 33.0 190.1

Caribbean pine, pino del Caribe

Location: Utuado

Nominator: Salvador Alemañy (last measured 1992)

• Persea americana Miller 116.5 75.4 37.4 201.2

Avocado, aguacate

Location: Isabela, Bosque Guajataca, Guajua trail, large abra with H. elatus plantation

Nominator: John Francis (last measured 2000)

• Pilosocereus royenii (L.) Byles & Rowley  42.5 29.5 19.5   76.9

Dildo, Sabucán

Location: Salinas, Camp Santiago, through gate in Villa Coco, across river, ½ way up valley to left, 25 m on S. side of arroyo

Nominator: John Francis (last measured 2000)

• Piptadenia peregrina (L.) Benth.36.4 23.0 13.4   62.8

Location: Barceloneta, Cambalache State Forest, Vereda Monte Largo, 250 m from N. end, left through small teak plantation, 200 m E. then S. (nearly dead)

Nominator: John Francis (last measured 2001)

• Pisonia borinquena183.2 60.7 39.2 253.7

Corcho blanco

Location: Río Grande, 50 m N of big leaf mahogany plot, IITF Arboretum

Nominator: John Francis (last measured 1993)

• Pithecellobium arboreum (L.) Urban 95.1   93.8 44.3 200.0

Cojoba

Location: Quebradillas, Bosque Guajataca, 80 m N of trail head for Vereda Nico, 3 m W of highway.

Nominator: Salvador Alemañy (last measured 2000)

• Podocarpus coriacius L.C. Rich.  41.2 23.0 29.2   76.5

• Psidium guajava L.  29.7 23.028.5   59.8

• Samanea saman   189.1 91.8 58.1 295.5

Samán, monkey pod

Location: San Juan, Plaza Río Piedras

Nominator: John Francis (last measured, 1999)

• Schefflera morototoni  91.9 85.2 43.1   188.0

Yagrumo hembra

Location: Moca

Nominator: Luis Sotomayor (last measured 1994)

• Securinega acidoton (L.) Fawc. & Rendle30.6 31.1 21.8   67.2

No common name

Location: Salinas, Camp Santiago, northern road that enters from PR 1, across river, 20 m S. of fork that leads to the interior and south part of base

Nominator: John Francis (last measured 2001)

• Senna seamea Irwin & Barnaby 122.0 75.4 60.2 212.4

Yellow cassia, cassia de siam

Location: Arecibo, PR 123 km 76.2, 2 m from E side of road

Nominator: John Francis (last measured 2000)

• Sideroxyon portoricensis Urb. 248.9 88.6   60.4   352.6

Tabloncillo

Location: Ciales, old Hacienda Negro, PR 149 km 35, S side of road

Nominator: Ivan Vicéns (last measured 2000)

• Sloanea amygdalina Griseb. 330.2 77.1 52.2 420.3

Motillo

Location: Maricao, Maricao State Forest, PR 120, Km 11.5 5 m S of road

Nominator: Alberto Rodríguez (last measured 2001)

• Spathodea campanulata Beauv. 240.3   105.0 47.6 357.2

Tulipan, African tulip tree

Location: Arecibo, PR 123 km 76.6, 2 m from E side of road

Nominator: Jaime Donato (last measured 2000)

• Spondias mombin L. 148.7 54.1 59.9 217.8

Jobo, hogplum

Location: Juana Diaz, 1 km W of Juana Diaz toll booth, N side of road, just through the fence near iron gate

Nomination: Salvador Alemañy (last measured 2000)

• Sterculia apetala (Jacq.) Karst.259.0 77.1 69.2 353.4

Anacaguita, Panama tree

Location: Ponce, PR 511 Km 1.35, W side of road

Nominator: John Francis (last measured 2000)

• Swietenia macrophylla 215.7   131.2 62.2 362.4

Bigleaf mahogany, caoba hondureña

Location: Mayaguez, Tropical Research Station

Nominator: Juan Ramírez (last measured 2000)

• Swietenia mahagoni (L.) Jacq. 193.1 88.6 73.1 300.0

Mahogany, caoba

Location: Ponce, Bo. Los Caobas, Centro Comunal

Nominator: Alberto Rodríguez (last measured 2000)

• Syzygium malaccense (L.) Merr. & Perry 83.6 50.8 42.1   144.9

Manzana de Malaya

Location: Maricao, Maricao Forest, just before and to right of inside entrance of forestry center

Nominator: John Francis (last measured 2002)

Primavera

Location: Río Grande, El Portal del Yunque, just off the W edge of parking lot near sign

Nominator: John Francis (last measured, 1999)

• Tabebuia heterophylla (DC.) Britton   104.6 68.9 13.8   176.9

Roble

Location: Río Grande, CNF, Big Tree Trail, near Manilkara sign, right side going toward La Mina Falls

Nominator: Juan Ramírez (last measured, 1999)

• Tabebuia rosea (Bertol.) DC.  148.5 80.4 51.7 241.8

Roble Venezolano

Location: San Juan

Nominator: José Marrero (last measured 1996)

• Tamarindus indicus L. 138.6 42.6 54.4   194.8

Tamarind, tamarindo Location: Coamo, PR 14 Hm 21.8, S edge of road, just W of Quinta Tranquila 2 Nominator: John Francis (last measured 2000)

• Tectona grandis L. 96.1 77.0 26.6   179.7

Teak, teca

Location: Arecibo, first road after HQ, 70 m on right fork, 2 m on S side of road.

Nominator: Alberto Rodríguez (last measured 2000)

• Terminalia catappa 179.7 62.3 73.1 260.3

Almendra, India almond Location: San Juan, Ponce de Leon Ave. front of Banco Santander Nominator: Salvador Alemañy (last measured, 1999)

• Tetagastris balsamifera57.4 64.4 37.1 131.1

Masa

Location: Villaba, Hacienda Limón

Nominator: Salvador Alemañy (last measured 1995)

• Thespesia populnea 72.5 45.9 32.5 126.5

Emajagua, princess tree

Location: San Juan, Paseo de la Princesa front of Compañia de Turismo de PR

Nominator: John Francis (last measured, 1999)

• Thrinax morrisii H. Wendl.10.1 42.0 8.5  54.2

Palma de escoba

Location: Arecibo, Bosque Río Abajo, first road after HQ, right fork, 20 m to left just before road goes down into canyon

Nominator: John Francis (last measured 2000)

White fiddlewood, higüeillo

Location: Ciales, along trail on N side of head of Lago Guineo, just below Cupressus lusitanica plantation

Nominator: Alberto Rodríguez (last measured, 1999)