Lockdown diary 14 : The Great Kapok Tree

 I am fascinated by the Kapok tree. In fact it’s not only me, ‘C’ seems to be mesmerized by it too. And we have them in plenty in our colony. It is a very tall tree, tapers high above all its neighbors. The tree trunk looks like a rocket getting ready to launch. The tree looks beautiful throughout the year and is truly nature's wonder. According to the Maya mythology, this is a sacred tree and a symbol of the universe. Interestingly, according to google this tree usually doesn’t bloom for years together. However, every Kapok in our premises seems to have a full bloom this time of the year.

The kapok cotton not able to hold itself inside the pods have burst open and their fall seems like snowflakes dancing around before they hit the ground forming ball-like shapes. The wind carries these balls of cotton to far away places just before the onset of the monsoons. What is exciting is that each ball contains a seed. These seeds germinate once they receive water from the rains, get a firm grip in the soil and voila we have a new kapok plant emerging. This plant soon grows into a tree and the cycle continues.

I refuse to let my mind wander about how urbanization has resulted in an obstacle to the increase in the population of this wonder of nature. But I do wonder about what happens to the seeds - maybe they end up in drains or maybe they are swept away by the cleaners or probably just rot away - for though the existing trees are staying true to their purpose, we don't seem to see many kapok trees around the city.

On further search, I find that this tree is a home to many different living creatures including the eagle, the monkey and many worm and insect species. There is an illustrated book written by Lynn Cherry called ‘The great Kapok tree.’ In this book various creatures big and small come into the dream of a young man and explain the importance of the tree in their lives as well as for the world.

For now, we have collected many of its cotton pods. We plan to use the cotton to make a small cushion and we hope to make seed balls and spread the seeds whenever we travel. It is time to help this symbol of our universe spread its hold and spread its beauty to all parts of the world.

Here is a link to the story - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-j9RRSWS1U