"Thousands of tourists travel to the Cocora Valley in Colombia's coffee region every year to marvel at the towering Quindío Wax Palms. The ceroxylon quindiuense, a distinct species of palm tree which was declared the country's national tree in 1985, is on the verge of extinction and most Colombians are not even aware of the problem. Since 1989 the number of trees in the region has declined by 78% and there are now only about 2,000 palms left in the Cocora Valley. Much of the valley's once lush dense forest has been cut down to make way for cattle grazing. This poses problems for the seeds of the wax palm. They either get burned in the sun or they get eaten by the cows." (BBC.co.uk)
I captured the The National Army working on wax palm plantation. Sept 2018
Welcome to Cocora Valley (Valle del Cocora). Man wearing a traditional ruana, looking at wax palms.
The foggy landscape of Cocora Valley with Quindío wax palms.
The National Army working on wax palm plantation; covering the planted seeds with straw for protection against sun and excessive UV.
Wax palm seeds planted in soil, bagged up.
It takes two years from a seed to grow to this 30-40cm (12-15 inches) high (photos from left to right).
Group portrait of young military men of The National Army.
