Tree of Life or Shajarat-al-Hayat, in Bahrain, is a wonderful tree whose survival is shrouded in mystery and legend. Located 10 km from Askar and 3,5 km west of Jaww, "The tree of life" is a 400-year-old specimen of "Prosopis cineraria", immersed in a desert area completely devoid of an apparent source of water and other vegetation for kilometers and kilometers.
He is about to end up run over, his mother saves him
Tree of Life o Shajarat-al-Hayat, in Bahrain, is a wonderful tree, the survival of which is shrouded in mystery and legend. Located 10km from Askar and 3,5km west of Jaww, “The tree of Life”Is a 400-year-old specimen of“ Prosopis cineraria ”, immersed in a desert area completely devoid of an apparent source of water and other vegetation for kilometers and kilometers.
This species, however, is known precisely for its ability to adapt very well to dry deserts and thrive in arid conditions, with minimum rainfall of just 150 millimeters per year. It manages to survive thanks to its very deep roots, which can exceed 50 meters in depth to reach the sources of water that flow underground.
The mystery of Bahrain's Tree of Life is actually less enigmatic than one might think. The land on which it grows, in fact, is only 9-12 meters above the sea level and the groundwater in this area is higher than the sea level.
Not too far from the tree, then, are gods ponds with water. Humid air also helps it to stock up on the water it needs, while a little more careful inspection of the surroundings reveals other trees nearby. A smaller tree, for example, grows about 850 meters north of the Tree of Life.
Local stories tell that The Tree of Life was planted here in 1583. It has survived to this day, maintaining an enviable appearance with many fresh and green leaves, which contrast with the hill of sand on which it grows and from where it shows all its majesty in front of the desert.
The tree, visible from far away, is now a tourist attraction, as the only one so large to have grown in the area. IS visited by around 50.000 tourists every year. It is the latter who often damage it with carvings and graffiti. Precisely for this reason, an iron fence has recently been placed all around, necessary to protect it from vandals who do not leave nature alone even in the middle of the desert.
Roberta Ragni
Source and photos
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