I was impressed because most desert trees are so short. A: The tree in the photo is a Tipu tree or Tipuana tipu the Pride of Bolivia. This tree can grow to 100 feet and has a large open crown.

THE SOUTH AMERICAN Tipuana tipu tree undoubtedly has one of the coolest sounding Latin names in the plant kingdom, but that’s just one of many attributes of this glorious shade-maker.

Andrew Watkins, 27, climbed up the tipuana tipu tree last week at Orpheus Park in Encinitas. He was protesting the city's plans to cut down that tree in order to preserve the ocean view for nearby ...