Book 17, Question 5
Why Do a Few Rainforest Trees Poke Up Above All the Others?
Trees in the emergent layer stretch up 150 feet or more, which is 45 meters, to catch the brightest sunlight. They also catch the breeze that carries their pollen and seeds. A gap in the canopy gives them a chance to grow toward the light.
More fun facts
- Rainforest trees grow tall because they compete with other plants for sunlight.
- A few trees stick up above all the rest, like giants looking over a crowd.
- These tallest trees make up the emergent layer.
- Emergent trees usually reach about 60 meters tall.
- Kapok trees, found in rainforests around the world, can grow to 200 feet.
Sources: National Geographic Kids, Smithsonian, BBC
Questions kids ask
How tall can a kapok tree grow?
Kapok trees can grow to 200 feet.