The baobab is a master of survival in extreme, harsh conditions. In the short wet season, water is stored in the swollen, fire-resistant trunk for the nine-month long dry season. Baobabs are a protected tree in South Africa. Many African cultures believe the baobab is a "Tree of Life.” The baobab is also a symbol of utility: its bark, leaves, fruit, and trunk are all used for cloth, rope, food flavoring, medicines, soap, necklaces, glue, rubber, food and even lemonade. The baobab tree serves as a meeting place for many villages to discuss community matters and tell stories.
The baobab tree is simply enormous: it can grow as tall as 75 feet and can reach a diameter of 60 feet around the trunk. It is also one of the longest-lived trees in the world; some have graced this earth for more than 2,000 years. back