Travel Back in Time Through a Baobab Tree

By Jennifer Troyan

The Baobab Tree in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe is incredible! There was a gate around the tree to protect it from animals that want to eat its fruit and scratch at it. I can’t imagine what it has seen, all the weather it has been through, and what has built up around it over thousands of years. When you think about it, you are literally traveling back in time thinking of this tree’s history.

There are two baobab trees close to each other- the Big Baobab and the other is the Little Baobab. A local guide told me that the age of the Big Tree is not accuratly known. Locals believe the Big Baobab is 4,000+ years old. The guide went on saying the Little Baobab tree next to it is about 1,200 years old. That’s a baby! I was able to touch and connect with it, feel it, which gave me the feeling of taking in wisdom. I now know I am much smarter because of this tree. 😉

Below you will see a picture of a sign sharing details of the Big Baobab. The history… leaves me speechless and keeps me in awe.

On this trip, our group did meditations outside and our host and teacher repeatedly said, “How lucky are we?” I am so grateful to be reminded of this concept and have repeatedly thought of it from the moment I heard it and hope to continue thinking of that.

If you are fortunate enough to be seeing this article then you are fortunate indeed. You have a phone, or computer and access to the internet so you can read this, and I extend the sentiment to you, “How lucky are we?”

I mean, can you imagine, this tree and what it has survived from weather, extreme heat and intense rain and political situations and development and people and animals. It’s incredible, absolutely incredible. How lucky is that tree?

By these baobab trees, people have set up shop selling their wears and asking to just buy something even if it’s small to support their family. You could sense the urgency and desperation and also their kindness.

Life seems hard for the shopkeepers barely getting by and yet this tree benefits them by attracting people to visit it and buy things. The people share what they know about it, talk about the seeds (which are huge) and contains this dry fruit called cream of tartar, and kindly offer you to try some.

The sign says that this tree is over 1,200 years but the local guide that was with us said that they measure it by meters and believe this tree to be over 4,000 years. Such a long time. I was taken aback by this declaration. 4,000 years! It’s hard to even comprehend because our lives are so small in comparison.

These trees are tall, wide and mighty and you can feel their strength and their wisdom.

Baboab trees are revered as a natural wonder and a sacred symbol connecting people to their heritage.

The info on this sign shares some great information about THE BIG TREE – BAOBAB TREE

SCIENTIFIC NAME: ADANSONIA DIGITATA

AGE: ±1200 YEARS

GIRTH: 22.40M / 73.5FT

HEIGHT: 24M/78.8FT

 

The majestic African baobab is often called the ‘upside down tree’ a name that originates from its branches that look like the roots of a tree.

 

Here you stand in front of Victoria Falls famous Big Tree recognised for being one of the largest, oldest, and most resilient African baobab trees in the world. This majestic baobab is believed to be around 1,200 years old, composed of several stems that have knitted together in various growth spurts over the years.

 

In 2021, scientists used radiocarbon dating to confirm the age of the Big Tree. They discovered the oldest stem of this baobab is between 1,100 and 1,200 years old, while newer stems age between 200 to 250 years old.

 

The oldest parts of the Big Tree stopped growing around a hundred years ago, however the remainder of the tree is still very much alive and continues to produce leaves, flowers, and fruits throughout the year.

 

Baobabs can store up to 120,000 litres of water in their trunks, enabling them to endure harsh drought. conditions. Their longevity is also aided by their ability to produce new stems that fuse together with existing stems, allowing for continued expansion and growth. Baobabs also have a great resistance to external factors such as diseases, pests and cancers.

 

The trees also provide an idyllic habitat for small mammals, birds, insects, and reptiles. The baobab produces flowers that are adapted for pollination by fruit bats and occasionally bushbabies. Once ready, the baobab fruits are enjoyed by many small and large mammals, including baboons, elephants and even humans.

 

Cream of Tartar (fruit)

The fruit of the baobab tree is commonly known as the Cream of Tartar. This can be found, protected within large hard hanging pods, with a fuzzy and furry outer coating Inside the pods, you’ll find many seeds covered in a dry fruit pulp. This pulp is a favourite among many animals and humans for its tart, citrus flavour.

The fruit also provides a good source of a variety of nutrients including calcium, magnesium, vitamin C, potassium, and iron.

 

The Roots

When the Great Spirit created earth, he gave every animal a tree to plant. The hyena was last in the queue and was given the baobab. He was so upset that he had been given this tree, so he planted it in the ground upside down!

 

I found it fun to imagine the hyena and this folklore. Everyone seems to enjoy sharing the legend of this tree’s creation. How beautiful!

Quotes to Ponder

I take time and space in my life for nature. Trees, sky, birds, bugs, animals, and fish delight and inspire me. 

~ Louise Hay, affirmation from a 365 daily calendar.

The baobab tree, known as the ‘Tree of Life,’ stands tall and ancient across the Zimbabwean landscape, a silent witness to centuries of change. Its massive trunk stores water to withstand the dry seasons, providing sustenance to both wildlife and people. In its gnarled branches, one can find the resilience and endurance of Africa itself.

~ Quote created by ChatGPT

Photography by Jennifer Troyan.