Why We Love Z Amate

One of our local amate trees in the Plaza del Artista is full of thousands and thousands of figs right now, making it a favorite feeding place at night for the area's bats who in turn dispurse its seeds all over the place. These trees have long been popular shade trees for locals. They grow relatively fast and withstand quite a bit of abuse and hard times. There used to be a couple of huge ones in the main plaza, but indifferent local governments removed them because they had a "better idea".

I am extremely thankful for the remaining amates in the Plaza del Artista because their shade cools the breeze off the ocean and they protect us from the high winds off the ocean. Numerous times when tropical storms and even hurricane-force winds have been thrown at us, our home has been spared damage thanks to the amates buffering the winds.

This one also helps keep our beach in place with its roots.

Artesans and ancient peoples have used the bark of this tree as a type of paper for centuries.

Here a public employee labors to collect thousands of amate figs from the beach and walkway. This scene will have to be repeated for the best part of the week or so that the tree sprouts and drops its fruit. Nature at its finest!