Abstract
Eperua falcata Aubl. is the most common of the large tree species in the lowland rain-forest of Piste Saint Elie (French Guiana). One of these tall trees was felled for scientific purposes and found to have a bole hollowed throughout its entire length. This hollow trunk was filled with organic soil in which a complete adventitious root system had developped. This internal root system originated at the first fork (16 m above ground level) and penetrated the hollow trunk down to soil level through numerous fine roots. In this case the life span of the tree was probably increased, as its stability and its nutrition were improved by the extra roots. Such a situation is quite likely to be exceptional and due to accidental circumstances where both termites (or ants) and microorganisms played an important role.
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