The perennial “Baobab” tree, which is more than 150 years old, stands adjacent to the historic walls of Jeddah and its Levantine Gate, embodying a trace of the Most Merciful’s caravans of guests of the Holy House of God, telling and witnessing the story of a man who came for Hajj more than 150 years ago, carrying in his hand a cutting from the trees of western Sudan to plant in the land. The country of the Two Holy Mosques rejoiced at his arrival, so that he may have a beautiful impact and a lasting reward, God willing.
The perennial “Baobab” tree, with a trunk diameter of approximately ten metres, stands with its branches extending to form a shady shade for passers-by, an outlet for people and visitors, and a landmark of the place, to narrate a chapter in the life of this perennial tree, which appears to those who come to it as if it is an immortal environmental legend, as it grows at high altitudes in African savannah plains, reaching lengths of approximately 100 feet.
The Acting Director General of the Branch of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture in the Makkah Al-Mukarramah Region, Engineer Walid bin Ibrahim Al-Daghis, explained that the common name for this tree locally is “Habahbuh,” and it has a pear-shaped fruit that contains black seeds covered in a very dry white substance, which is used as a “powder.” It has a somewhat sour taste, indicating that this tree has several names by which it is known, including: “Baobab,” “Baobab,” and “Baobab.” As for its scientific name, it is known as “Adansonia” or “baobab.”
He pointed out that this tree originally grows in tropical regions and in certain places on the African continent, including South Africa, Botswana, Mozambique, Madagascar, and western Sudan, and represents great importance for maintaining environmental balance.
The tree is considered one of the most important and oldest perennial trees on the surface of the Earth. It contains many health benefits that exceed any chemical compound. People in western Sudan benefit from it to store rainwater, as its capacity is about 10 liters.
It is noteworthy that the Jeddah Municipality is working in cooperation with the branch of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture in the Makkah Al-Mukarramah region to preserve this giant tree by recording its history and story by reviving the “Baghdadiya neighborhood”, within the framework of contributing to achieving the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative, to preserve such well-established trees. And durable, which enhance security and environmental balance.
