“Trees do not preach learning and precepts. They preach, undeterred by precepts, the ancient law of life.”
—Herman Hesse
This is believed to be the world’s biggest Baobab tree—said to be 1700 years old! Sadly, the tree is on the very last leg of its’ journey. But, it is a special tree (as you’ve already gathered from the title of this post!) In fact, when people noticed that the inside of this massive tree had given way to an empty chamber, they started using it as a pub for many years (believe it or not!) until the two halves of the tree split and finally collapsed. I really wish it hadn’t gone so soon, considering that this rare tree ought to have been preserved for as long as possible.
Man-made disasters never cease to make me question why we always end up messing with Mother Nature.
(Picture Courtesy: Derek Keeling, a tour guide based in Cape Town, SA, who we had the good fortune to travel with, during our 10-day trip to the gorgeous country.)
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Joining Parul today for #thursdaytreelove which is a photo feature on her blog that brings you beautiful trees from different places every second and fourth Thursday of the month. If you would like to play along, post a picture of a tree on your blog and link it back to her post.
12 Comments
Anamika Agnihotri
A pub inside that tree! It is unimaginable for me. When a tree dies even after being there for 1700 years, it is a somewhat sad sight. Nonetheless, the old always has to go at some point in time.
Natasha
Thank you for sharing Esha. Loved your story. 🙂
And the privilege to see such an old tree.
Parul Thakur
What a beautiful tree and a novel idea. And world’s biggest Baobab tree? Wow! I love that I am getting to see such a tree through you, Esha.
I am so glad you joined and chose to share this one. Thank you!
Shilpa Gupte
Gosh! 1700 years old tree!!
We humans are not going to learn to stop messing with Mother Nature until the very end. And, then we won’t have time to repent! 🙁
Esha MD
Absolutely, Shilpa. You said it. But, we humans never learn from the past, do we?
anouradha
Thank you for sharing this amazing picture. A pub inside a tree, could not have imagined that!
Esha MD
Glad you liked it, Anou’di. Yes, a bit strange to imagine that, right?
Archana
Amazing! Every place has a so much more to offer than the usual touristy sites.. Especially the flora.. Thanks for sharing these amazing trees from your travels!
Esha MD
Thank you, Archana. Glad to know you enjoyed them.
Esha MD
Roshan Radhakrishnan
This tree series is just beautiful. Never even knew such trees existed… I mean, a whole room for a pub within!
Esha MD
Yes, I’m loving the series, Doc. Learning so much about trees and their kinds has been enlightening! Yes, quite hard to imagine a pub inside a tree!!!