The Watapana (Divi Divi): Champion Shadow in the Trade Wind
(Published in the newspaper Amigoe on the 22th of April 2026)
In our previous articles, we talked about how temperatures are rising due to climate change. We also looked at how shade trees can help make the city cooler. And in the previous article, we shared a few tips on what to look out for when planting shade trees. In the coming articles, we will look at several shade trees that fit perfectly with the city.
The watapana
Anyone who lives in Curaçao recognizes him immediately. It is the tree that always seems to bend to the wind. This is the watapana. The watapana, also called divi-divi, is scientifically known as Caesalpinia coriaria. It is perhaps the most famous tree on the island. But it is not only beautiful and characteristic. It is also one of the smartest choices if we want to make our neighborhoods, schoolyards and the city center cooler.
The watapana is naturally at home in dry and windy areas. You can see that immediately in his form. Due to the constant trade wind, it grows crookedly, with a wide, fanning crown that often hangs over the ground like a parasol. A mature tree can easily reach a crown width of 10 to 15 meters. This means that it can provide a lot of shade, but also that it needs space to come into its own.
Watapana (Divi Divi) in nature (Photo John de Freitas)
Planting distance and tree pit
The wide crown makes the watapana valuable in the city. In a warm environment, where asphalt and concrete retain the heat, the temperature can rise considerably. Under a watapana it is often noticeably cooler. The tree blocks sunlight with its foliage and provides cooling because it evaporates water through its leaves. Together it works like a natural air conditioner. For use in the city, the trunk will have to be pruned a bit during cultivation to get a somewhat longer trunk that you can walk under without any problems. By pruning we mean that at an early stage the side branches are removed to a certain height so that it only branches at a higher height.
If you plant several watapana trees, you can benefit even more. When trees are spaced at the right distance from each other, their crowns can grow into each other and form a continuous canopy. That's exactly what you want in streets and squares. Namely, a continuous shadow zone instead of separate shadow areas. With a crown width of 10 to 15 meters, this means that a planting distance of 8 to 12 meters works well, depending on how quickly you want to reach that closed canopy.
The crown diameter is also important for what happens under the tree. A commonly used rule of thumb is that the surface area of the soil around the tree, which is important for the amounts of water and oxygen the tree receives, should be about the same size as the final crown. We call this the tree pit. In the case of the watapana, this ideally means a tree canopy with a diameter of 10 to 15 meters. In practice, this is often not fully feasible in the city, but the larger the tree level, the healthier the tree and the better the cooling effect.
Why is the watapana so suitable for planting in the city
The watapana is well adapted to the conditions on Curaçao. It can withstand drought, grows in poor and rocky soil and is very wind resistant. Salty air is also not a major problem, which makes it suitable for both coastal areas and the city center. In addition, it stays green for most of the year, providing shade almost continuously. This makes it particularly suitable for places where people gather daily, such as schoolyards and residential streets.
Cooling off in the city under the watapana
What to look out for
Nevertheless, it is important to think carefully about the location when planting. The roots of the watapana can develop widely, especially if the tree is given enough space. Therefore, it is wise not to place it too close to buildings, foundations or narrow sidewalks. A minimum distance of 6 to 8 meters from buildings is recommended. Depending on the condition of the soil this can be more! In places where there is no such space, it may be necessary to install root-resistant facilities underground. Special root plates can guide the roots and prevent paving or foundations from being pushed up in the long term. There are also points of attention above ground. The watapana drops pods, which can sometimes cause mess on sidewalks or parking lots. Perhaps the pods can also be reused. This is discussed below!
Other benefits of the watapana
The watapana has many advantages. The watapana not only offers cooling and shade but also has a strong cultural value. The characteristic wind-shaped tree is a symbol of Curaçao and contributes to the island's identity. He not only makes streets and squares cooler, but also more beautiful and recognizable. The pods were used in the tannery during the plantation period and they were also exported. The pods also contain a black and blue dye. Perhaps contemporary applications can still be found for these pods. The tree also has medicinal uses. The fragrant flowers produce nectar which makes this tree a good honey tree as well.
For those who are thinking about greening the living environment, the watapana is therefore an excellent choice. By considering crown width, planting distance, and underground space when planting, this tree can grow into a natural umbrella that will last for decades. At a time when heat in the city is becoming more of a problem, part of the solution is literally obvious. The watapana shows that we don't have to look far. We just must give him the space to do his job.
In this article, we have paid attention to the watapana. The following article discusses a tree that is particularly resistant to the salty winds on the coast. This is the sea grape that is called dreifi di laman in Papiamento.
The Watapana (Divi Divi): Champion Shadow in the Trade Wind