African Baobab Tree, 20 inches tall on August 7, 2009.
FAMILY: Bombaceae
GENUS: Adansonia
SPECIES: digitata
The African Baobab tree is a multi-purpose deciduous tropical fruit tree with a massive trunk. It can grow to a height of 75 feet and it’s trunk can measure from 18-30 feet in diameter! Do a little research and you will find out that the trunks of these trees get hollow with age. They are used as water storage tanks by the native people. There is even a tree that was once used as a prison, and there is a bar in one as well. They can live for hundreds of years.
They grow naturally in most of the countries south of the Sahara, being generally associated with the savannah. They are also commercially grown in other areas as well. There are seven species of the Baobab, six which occur naturally in Madagascar and one in northern Australia. They grow widely in tropical climates that are characterized by dry winters and hot, wet summers. They are now being grown in Australia, Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, the Middle East, and the West Indies.
NUTRITIONAL VALUE:
The DRIED LEAVES are B. carotene, a precursor to Vitamim A, used in the fight against cancer and heart disease. Vitamin A is essential for good eyesight. Insufficient levels in the diet can lead to blindness. The leaves are also a source of several trace elements which can help combat micronutrient deficiency.
The YOUNG TENDER LEAVES are rich in vitamin A and calcium. Used as a vegetable and sauce preparation. Used to make Kuka Soup.
The FRUIT PULP is exceptionally high in Vitamin C. Vitamin C is necessary for healthy skin, bones, teeth, gums, and muscle. Vitamin C can fight infections and heal wounds. The fruit has more Vitamin C than oranges and more calcium content than cows milk! The fruit was once used in the production of tarter sauce. The fruit is powder coated and sold in stores as sweet and sour candy called Ubuyu. 23 grams of fruit power provide the RDA of vitamin C in adults.
SEED KERNALS contain edible oils and more protein than nuts. Rich in lysine, an amino acid, vitamin B1 (thiamine), calcium, and iron.
MEDICINAL VALUE:
The Baobab is used in traditional medicine throughout Africa and India. The LEAVES are used to overcome fever, diarrhea, and urinary tract diseases. The FRUIT PULP is used to treat measles and small pox. Oil and bark products are marketed internationally. A decoction made from the BARK is used to treat toothache, fever, and dysentery. The SEEDS are crushed and used as a paste and applied to teeth to treat swollen gums.
My Baobab Tree has done very well all summer, growing rapidly to a height of 34 inches by December. It is a deciduous tree, that in their natural climate, grows it’s leaves 7-10 months of the year and is dormant the remainder of the year. I have not finished doing the research on this tree, so I do not know it’s preferences here. It really didn’t appreciate the cold weather, though, and almost all the leaves have fallen off now… As of December 29, there are only two left… Hopefully it is going dormant and the leaves will emerge as the temps warm up! I am keeping it in warmer temperatures now, but the leaves started falling off when it dropped down in the lower 30′s… GEEZ!
The only problems I noticed was that the aphids did get on the new growth. I moved a few lady bugs to the leaves, and they took care of the problem. This only happened a few times. I also did some experimental spraying with NEEM and there were no side effects. I had to use the neem because I couldn’t find any lady bugs at the time!
