Great trees

Adansonia Grandidieri also known as Grandidier’s Baobab is the biggest and most famous of Madagascar’s six Baobabs. This tree is found in the south- western part of Madagascar. The Grandidier Baobab have massive trunk that spreads up to three meters across and is covered with smooth, reddish-grey bark. The tree has seeds and vitamin C- rich fruit pulp that are eaten fresh. The oil seeds are also use for cooking oil. The fruit is collected from the ground or wooden pegs are hammered into the trunk so the tree can be climb to collect the fruit. The trees thick trunk is also useful, it is composed of touch long fibers that can be used for making ropes. Although it is used for various things, none of these things actually hurt the tree. But unfortunely, these trees are endangered by encroachment of agricultural lands.  

Adansonia tree or also know as African Baobab reaches heights of 16 to 98 feet and have a trunk diameters of 23 to 36 feet. African Baobab stores up to 32,000 U.S galloons inside the swollen trunk. This is done by the tree to endure the harsh drought conditions particular to each region. Since 2008  the Baobab tree has become an interest for developing nutrient-rich raw material for consumer products. The leaves are commonly used as leaf vegetable throughout the area of mainland African distribution. There’s two ways of eating them, fresh or as dry powder. In Australia, the indigenous Australian use Baobab leafs for medical purpose.

The Chapel-oak of Allouville-Bellefosse is the most famous tree in France. This tree was made hallow by a lighting bolt in the year 1669.  Two priest,’Abbe du and du Cerceau decide to build a chapel in the tree. The priest build a small alter to the Virgin Mary. Later on a second chapel  and a staircase were added. Unfortunely the tree is very old now and part of the tree is dead. Parts of the tree bark, which fell of due to old age, is covered by protected oak shingles. Poles and cables support the aging tree, but that doesn’t affect the symbol it represents.