Baobab Tree
The multifaceted Baobab is the “tree of life“.
* the fruits are rich in vitamin C and are used to prepare beverages,
* the leaves are used fresh or dried as vegetables and as forage,
* the seeds are used to extract oil,
* all parts of the tree have medicinal properties,
* the bark provides strong and durable fibres,
* the tree is fire resistant and can survive severe droughts,
* it is easy and cheap to cultivate and free from any serious pests and diseases
* and it provides shade and protects the soil against erosion
“It was the season just after when the baobab had shed its long stringed calabashes. Not far way, was a solitary man surrounded by buzzing bees – he smoked a pipe made out of a hollowed out gourd of baobab. He warned me that the tree was haunted”.
Photo taken by Unganisha
5 comments
Je fis remarquer au petit prince que les baobabs ne sont pas des arbustes, mais des arbres grand comme des églises et que, si même il emportait avec lui tout un troupeau d’éléphants, ce troupeau ne viendrait pas à bout d’un seul baobab.— Le Petit Prince
I remember speaking with a farmer in South Africa a few years back about a tree he believed was the most Southerly ‘naturally raised’ baobab on the continent. He said that they are easy to get growing, but you have to get the seeds after then have passed through the guts of a mammal (in most cases, elephant). Also he said elephants tend to wear off the bark around the base which can kill the trees, although it was not clear why they do this.
The pods are pretty big and heavy, so although the tree gives great shade you should be careful when sitting underneath (or camping) as the pods can do you head (or your tent) a lot of damage if they fall from the upper branches…
Very interesting! Thanks for sharing :)
Hello there,Im from Denmark,and I an old man 68 – I remember this wonderful thre like the REAL AFRICA, sorry my English,but I hope you understanding me. Wher can I find some picks of this fantastic three ?
Manny freindly regards from :
Jorgen
Here are some photos of baobab trees –
http://images.google.com/images?q=baobab+tree&hl=en&btnG=Search+Images