In the ‘green’ corner…

The African Baobab Tree…
The jumbo jet of the plant kingdom
THE African Baobab tree, whose scientific name is Adonsonia digitata, is also known as the ‘upside-down tree’.
In Africa, legend has it that God gave the hyena the job of planting the Baobab. However, the cowardly hyena, lazy and not too bright, consequently planted the tree upside down, or with its roots in the air.
For most of the year, the tree is leafless, and looks very much like it has its roots sticking up in the air, thereby earning the name ‘the upside down tree’.
Nevertheless, the Baobab ranks among the top ten most majestic and magnificent trees in the world, and has been described as “a tree with a character second to none”.
Baobab trees may be the oldest life forms on the African continent.

Tree’s roots
Native to Africa, Madagascar and Australia, there are seven species of the Baobab tree in the world; six are in Madagascar and one is in Australia.
Those grown in Africa are generally larger than those grown in Australia, and are found in 20 Sub-Saharan countries.
Apart from much folklore surrounding these trees, the most amazing qualities of the Baobab tree are the diameter of its trunk and its longevity. The tree can reach heights of five to 30 metres (16 to 98 feet); and, incredibly, the diameter of its trunk can span over 40 metres (130 feet).
Mature trees are frequently hollow, providing living space for numerous animals, and even humans.

Room & board
Sunland Nursery in South Africa is home to the largest Baobab tree in the world, and possibly the only tree with a bar inside. Known as “The Tree Bar”, or “The Baobab Bar”, the “Big Baobab” is situated in the foothills of the legendary Modjadji Cycad Reserve, near Tzaneen in Limpopo Province, South Africa, and is famous internationally for being the widest of its species in the world, being 22 metres high (72 feet), 47 metres (154 feet) in circumference, and said to be the oldest tree in the world.
According to their Website (www.bigbaobab.co.za), in 1993, the owners — the van Heerdens — cleared out the hollow centre of that tree, removing masses of compost build up to uncover the floor about a metre below ground level.
They squared off a natural vent in the trunk to make a door, and installed a railway sleeper pub inside the trunk, complete with draught beer, seats, and a music system.
A wine cellar was installed in a second hollow. Ventilated by natural vents, it is kept at a constant temperature of 22° C. At one party, 60 people were inside the tree bar!

Radio-carbon dating
Radio-carbon dating has measured the age of some Baobab trees at over 2,000 years old, but the “Big Baobab Tree Bar” in South Africa has been carbon dated to be around 6,000 years old.
Many Baobabs still standing today have certainly been around since the birth of Christ; others for far longer.
The Baobab’s branches, with their hollows, dents and bloated stems, provide shelter and refuge for a great many animals: squirrels, rodents, lizards, snakes and tree frogs. Spiders, scorpions and insects may live their entire lives in a single tree.

Caribbean Baobabs
Two magnificent Baobab trees, with possibly the widest trunks to be found in the Caribbean, grow in Barbados! The larger can be seen in Queen’s Park, in Bridgetown.
To give an example of the size of this tree, it takes 15 adults joining outstretched arms to cover its circumference.
Hans Neher, local horticulturalist of the # 1 Plant Shop in Campbellville, says he has been offering for sale Baobab seedlings of up to five feet in height for several years; and, finding no buyers, he planted one at his nursery. After eight years in the ground, the tree has a height of about 25 feet and a diameter of 16 inches.
Hans is once again offering the Baobab to plant enthusiasts.
“You can plant the Baobab, but make sure that there is sufficient place for it to grow — at least 90 metres — and no telephone or live wires overhead.”
Finally, Hans reminds readers that, later this year, the Day of the Tree will be celebrated internationally. He urges gardeners to prepare a piece of land and get a suitable tree for planting on the Day of the Tree.
The staffers of the No. 1 Plant Shop (telephone # 227-8094) can advise you on what tree would best suit your yard.

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