Introduction by Dr. Emile Ramón 

More than 240 types of trees grow in the 28,000 acres (11,200 ha) of El Yunque Forest in Puerto Rico. Some are straight and more than 100 feet (30 meters) tall. Others are crooked and as high as a child’s waist. Trees are very special in the forest. Along with plants, they are the forest’s producers. They make their own food through photosynthesis. Other organisms, known as consumers, feed off them. 

We are going to look at two trees we like a lot. One is the yagrumo tree. Scientists call it Cecropia schreberiana. The other is the tabonuco tree, or Dacryodes excelsa. Alberto will provide information about the yagrumo. Nicole will talk about the tabonuco. Both are fine trees. They help keep the forest community healthy. All plants and animals in the forest make up the community.