A huge, centuries-old ceiba tree on the Puerto Rican island of Vieques has bloomed again for the first time since Hurricanes Maria and Irma struck. Residents see this as a sign of hope.

The Puerto Rican island of Vieques is still struggling after the hurricanes of 2017, but its most famous tree offers hope. Skip to Main Content.

Ceiba trees can be found in South and Central America and parts of West Africa. Also known as the kapok tree, the enormous plants, which can tower more than 50 metres, are pillars of their ecosystems.

A huge, centuries-old ceiba tree on the Puerto Rican island of Vieques has bloomed again for the first time since Hurricanes Maria and Irma struck. Residents see this as a sign of hope.

Vieques has spent the last year improving many of its beaches; access to some were in shambles when the Navy left. ... obscured by ceiba trees and bougainvillea vines.