The Baobab tree or Mbuyu as it is known in Swahili is a striking deciduous tree of immense girth which can grow up to 25m in height, bare of leaves for as much as 9 months of the year.
Some awesome stats
Despite its soft pithy wood, this is one of the longest living trees in the world; carbon dating has shown trees 5m in diameter to be 1,000 years old and the very largest specimens to be as much as 3,000 years old.
More amazing facts on the resilience of the Mbuyu...
Portuguese cannon balls from nearly four centuries ago have been found embedded in living trees that line the approach to Mombasa harbour. The wood is spongy and holds quantities of water attracting elephants that gouge out the trunks with their tusks to reach the water in times of drought. Most trees continue growing despite being hollowed out and show remarkable powers of regeneration.
And we end with our fantasy dose
These strange trees are surrounded by a wealth of traditional beliefs with one of the “best-known” legends being that God uprooted the tree in a rage and planted it upside down, with its roots in the air.
Well that’s all from Greendic and your’s truly Mugalavai Ngosiane. Whatever else you do, please share with others!
