Corozo palm, a traditional construction material

Among the many uses of the Corozo palm, the utilization of palm fronds as roofing material is by far the most prevalent. A large proportion of homes and structures are constructed using corozo fronds throughout areas where the palm grows abundantly. The homes pictured here are located in Q’eqchi’ communities in the Guatemalan department of Izabal.

Typical home in rural Q’eqchi’ village. Roof is constructed from Corozo palm fronds. Several Corozo trees are visible behind the house with pruning structure typical of regular pruning for leaves. Aldea Sabala, Izabal, Guatamala. Image by Jingwen Sun

Corozo palms are cultivated and maintained in and around communities that utilize their leaves for construction material. Large corozo palms are a common site both within a village, and standing as groves inside of cattle pastures. When regularly pruned for their large fronds, which reach over three meters in length, the palms take on an upward-reaching, fountain-like shape that is distinct from wild palms that are not being harvested.

Close view of typical Q’eqchi’ building with corozo thatch roofing. Aldea Sabala, Izabal, Guatemala. Image by Jingwen Sun

The wood used to construct the walls of these structures is harvested from local forests. Many useful plants, other than corozo, are also grown throughout these self sufficient communities. A wide variety of fruit trees are cultivated and maintained for everyday use and kitchen gardens are numerous between different homes.

Two corozo thatch homes with garden and small solar panel, surrounded by coconut, breadfruit and other trees. Izabal, Guatemala. Image by Jingwen Sun

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