The Baobab Tree

Baobab Tree

The baobab tree is found in Africa, India, and Australia. It is a very hearty tree that can grow in dry climates and is hard to kill. The tree looks like it is upside down and the roots are up in the air. It is usually as big around as it is tall, up to 65 feet tall and 50 feet around. The baobab tree only has leaves about two months of the year. It also produces large flowers and fruit.

The baobab tree is very useful to people, insects, retiles, and animals. The people make use of every part of the tree. The bark is used for rope, paper and cloth. The leaves are used for medicines. The fruit is used as food for both people and animals, and the tree trunks can be used for everything from water storage to shelter.

There are many legends surrounding the baobab tree. One in particular attempts to explain its appearance. Legend has it that God was not happy with his handy work so he pulled the tree from the ground and tossed it back to the earth where it landed upside down with its roots up in the air.

Another legend has it that a baobab tree fell in love with four beautiful girls who enjoyed its shade. When the girls sought husbands the tree got jealous. One night during a thunderstorm, the tree opened its trunk and allowed the girls inside for shelter and never let them out. On stormy nights people claim they can hear the girls crying inside the tree.

The baobab tree is an extremely large tree that lives to be thousands of years old. The tree is very useful to people, animals, birds, reptiles, and insect. The natives of the area have a use for all parts of the tree, nothing is left unused.