We Speak for the Trees

by Mason

Snap, click… well, I guess it’s time to wake up!  The sound of cameras have been my alarm clock for like the past 50 years.  I am a Quindio wax palm living in the Cocora Valley near Salento Colombia.  My species is the tallest palm in the world, even though we’re endemic to the northern part of South America.  Some of us reach a staggering 200 feet into the sky.  

Now to tell you a little bit about myself, some people would say I look like a Trufula tree from the Lorax.  I think I look more like a trachea, which makes sense since I am the lungs of the earth.  I have a tall, strong, and very skinny trunk.  I am a pencil.  Heck, I am practically one dimensional!  I have a waxy surface.  Doubt you would have guessed that.  My wax used to be made into candles, but now that is illegal because of my endangered status.  This is mostly due to the fact that throughout history, our palm fronds have been harvested for religious reasons, making it impossible for us to photosynthesize.  We were also cut down to clear land for cattle.  But now, I am the national tree of Colombia!  

I would tell you more about myself, but I think that is enough and the rest is none of your palms wax.  Get it?!  It was fun sharing more about myself.  I am going to try and get some sleep now, which will be hard with this strange family who look like the Lorax himself staring up at me.  Talk to you later… Wax palm out!