They all have small, waxy leaves. Large birds such as harpy eagles fly among the branches. The plants are made for living in the dry conditions of the 130 to 250 foot high emergent layer. The trees up here are much more windblown than the trees of shorter layers. Their seeds are spread all over the forest by strong winds.
Some trees go leafless for short periods of time, but almost never shed all their leaves.
Some plants start growing on the forest floor, then grow up a tree to the emergent layer, where the plant can get light.