This Baobab tree was photographed on the road heading towards Lake Manyara, a few weeks ago. Baobab's are also often referred to as "Upside Down Trees" as their roots appear to be growing in the air ! For me, the Baobab tree is a true symbol of Africa. (Especially a Baobab tree with a beautifully blue African sky behind it.) I was therefore surprised to learn recently, that Baobabs are also found in both Madagascar and Australia (I have a theory that Australia and Africa were once all joined together as one, so am always excited to learn things like this !)
The Baobab tree is also known as the “upside down” tree because it’s branches – especially when bare – look like roots sticking up into the sky. One African legend has it that each animal was given a tree to plant after creation and the hyena was given the Baobab tree to plant, which he proceeded to plant upside down, which is why the tree continues to grow “upside down’ !
Baobabs can tower up to heights of 30 m and the diameter of their trunks can be anything from 7 m to 11 m. The trunks of Baobab trees are large and hollow (you can walk around inside them) and as a result are often used for water storage. In the past the hollow trunks have also been used as animal shelters, store rooms - and even prisons ! Some Baobab trees on well known tourist routes around Africa have also been converted into pubs and restaurants.
Although the tree is a poor source of firewood or charcoal (thank goodness, as this is probably why they are still found in abundance here) the roots can be cooked & eaten like a vegetable (as can the leaves) and the root bark is also used in some parts of Africa to make rope.
The tree has white flowers which are pollinated by bats (as well as insects). The bats find the flowers easily in the dark due to the brilliant white of the petals. The fruit of the tree has a Vitamin C content which is higher than that of oranges, and the fruit pith can be used as a substitute for cream of tartare. Locally here in Tanzania, the fruit is also used to brew a homemade (and potent !) alcoholic drink.
Baobab’s do not have annual growth rings like other trees so it can be difficult to date them. However, some carbon dating carried out on these trees has indicated that some of them have a lifespan of between 1000 and 3000 years. That’s a long time !
I remember as a child that the Baobab tree was one of the first tree’s I ever learnt to draw, because it was quite easy. Each year we used to travel by car from Salisbury (Harare) to the South African coast for our annual beach holiday and along the way we would pass hundreds and hundreds of Baobab trees, which were always one of the highlights of the journey as my sister & I tried to count them all as they whizzed past !
The Baobab tree is also known as the “upside down” tree because it’s branches – especially when bare – look like roots sticking up into the sky. One African legend has it that each animal was given a tree to plant after creation and the hyena was given the Baobab tree to plant, which he proceeded to plant upside down, which is why the tree continues to grow “upside down’ !
Baobabs can tower up to heights of 30 m and the diameter of their trunks can be anything from 7 m to 11 m. The trunks of Baobab trees are large and hollow (you can walk around inside them) and as a result are often used for water storage. In the past the hollow trunks have also been used as animal shelters, store rooms - and even prisons ! Some Baobab trees on well known tourist routes around Africa have also been converted into pubs and restaurants.
Although the tree is a poor source of firewood or charcoal (thank goodness, as this is probably why they are still found in abundance here) the roots can be cooked & eaten like a vegetable (as can the leaves) and the root bark is also used in some parts of Africa to make rope.
The tree has white flowers which are pollinated by bats (as well as insects). The bats find the flowers easily in the dark due to the brilliant white of the petals. The fruit of the tree has a Vitamin C content which is higher than that of oranges, and the fruit pith can be used as a substitute for cream of tartare. Locally here in Tanzania, the fruit is also used to brew a homemade (and potent !) alcoholic drink.
Baobab’s do not have annual growth rings like other trees so it can be difficult to date them. However, some carbon dating carried out on these trees has indicated that some of them have a lifespan of between 1000 and 3000 years. That’s a long time !
I remember as a child that the Baobab tree was one of the first tree’s I ever learnt to draw, because it was quite easy. Each year we used to travel by car from Salisbury (Harare) to the South African coast for our annual beach holiday and along the way we would pass hundreds and hundreds of Baobab trees, which were always one of the highlights of the journey as my sister & I tried to count them all as they whizzed past !
The Baobab is one of my favourite trees and maybe part of that reason is because it has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, & is one of those things in Africa that you just seem to take for granted as always having been there as a familiar and comforting part of the landscape. I know that I for one, couldn't imagine an Africa without these magnificent trees !
