The Wondrous Date Tree

The month of October marks the height of the date-harvesting season which started in September.

Photos Dr Lotfy Boulos (RIP) The Street Trees of Egypt

Throughout the countryside and the many oases dotting the country, men can be seen climbing the palm trees wearing a jute belt that attaches them to the tree while using the step like cut leaves of the palm to reach to the top and pick the precious fruit.

Date palms have grown in Egypt since prehistoric times. The vivid paintings on the walls of temples clearly depict the palms, and the fruits have been found in burial grounds. Every part of the tree was used as it still is! The dried leaf stalks are used to cover roofs of buildings, create fences, weave mats, crates and baskets.

The thick fibers at the base are used in rope-making. The sturdy trunks were traditionally incorporated in columns for temples and homes.

The Phoenix Dactylifera derives from a Greek word meaning finger-shaped fruits. It has most probably originated from the North African oases.

The date palm is a marvel in terms of structure since it can withstand severe wind storms which its sturdy trunk is flexible enough to overcome.

It can rise to almost 30 meters and has feather-like leaves spanning from 5 to 7 meters. The flowers are small and white on a densely branched spandex. It is pollinated by manually spreading male pollen on the female flowers - an intricate and hard procedure but one which ensures the quality and quantity of the palm. It is propagated also by offshoots and seeds. In a good season the palm carries some 200 kilos of dates.

The tree can reach 30 meters, with beautiful feather-like leaves spanning 5-7 meters

(Photo:nilefm.com)

Date palm loves arid and warm weather... As Dr Lotfy Boulos remarks in his book The Street Trees of Egypt: “the date palm likes its feet in the water and its head in the oven.”

Although the date has high levels of sugar its glycemic index level is not high so it does not shoot up blood sugar levels. The main dates in Egypt are Zaghloul the bright red and crunchy dates, the yellow Hayani, Bahri, Rotab, Siwi, and Samani.

Date palm has been mentioned in all religious books as a holy, life sustaining tree. Dates are very nutritious and rich in Vitamin A, B1, and B2, as well as fiber, protein, iron and potassium which regulates blood pressure. It is highly recommended to eat dates on an empty stomaching to aid the digestive system.

If the reader wants further interesting facts about this tree, do refer to Warda Bircher's book The Date Palm: a Friend and Companion of Man.

Compiled by TREE LOVERS ASSOCIATION

Banyan Tree, Holy Tree

Can a tree be worshiped? 

Yes it can. In India, the heart of Hinduism, followers of this religion gather around the Banyan tree to pray for healing, fertility and happiness.

Indian Banyan Tree  (Ficus benghalensis)

They believe that the Buddha reached enlightenment, self-realization and awakening under a Banyan tree. It is said that the Buddha's tree is now 2,500 years old!

The special feature of the Ficus Benghalensis is that the branches have arial roots that grow downward to thicken the main trunk, thus gaining its name: the tree with many feet!! It assumes an almost sculptural effect, changing over the years. The tree has one of the widest canopies, providing shade in the hot climates where it is grown. In India, the Banyan leaves are protected by law so no one can cut it.

In Egypt, tree lovers can enjoy seeing several specimens, whether in the Manial Palace gardens, along the River Nile corniche near Garden city, or the famous 125-year old that thrives in Zamalek opposite the Cairo Tower.

The Banyan or Bodhi tree is known to have many medicinal properties, as it treats infections and is an effective anti-bacterial. Its sap treats external skin inflammations, while its roots can be used to strengthen the teeth.

Trees are the oldest living beings so let us get to know more about them and honor their presence amidst us.

Contributed by Samia Zeitoun, The Tree Lovers Association

Jacaranda Galore!

Jacaranda Tree by Samia Zeiton

A stroll down Maadi streets during April and May holds a special treat for Nature lovers. This is the season when the Jacaranda blooms! It bursts with color whilst carpeting the ground around it with the heavenly lavender trumpet-like blossoms.

It is said that if you walk beneath the Jacaranda and one of its flowers lands on your head you will have good fortune for the coming year. The Jacaranda tree has always inspired landscape artists to plant it. Here in Maadi, many young couples can be seen taking photographs beneath its purple canopy.

 

The name Jacaranda derives from the Brazilian name for the tree where it grows in abundance as it does in most tropical and sub-tropical regions. It is well-suited to Egypt’s climate. This tree gives a glow to the bleakest street and enhances the whole neighborhood with its splash of color. Once the flowering is over the light green fern-like leaves appear and remain there until autumn when they turn into a deep yellow before shedding. The seeds can be easily recognizable as brown and woody with two valves.

The Jacaranda is shallow-rooted, so is an excellent ornamental tree for medium- to large-sized gardens. It is also popular as a street tree requiring full sun and enough space to grow as they can reach 15 meters and just as wide. Be careful to plant it away from drains, pipes and water lines since they have a strong root system.

Care for the Jacaranda almost always includes proper pruning. This keeps the shape of the tree and prevents the weight of the tree from splitting the trunk. The branches are quite brittle so seasonal pruning is advised to keep branches from breaking. Average life span is about 50 years. Recently new varieties have appeared in smaller sizes ...they can be seen at the Festival City complex. Planted in rows they are truly breathtaking!!!

Pretoria in South Africa is known as Jacaranda City with over 70,000 trees lining their streets blooming from September to November. In Nelson Mandela,s biography The Long Walk to Freedom he writes,”those moments under the shade of the Jacaranda trees on the Vicarage lawn were the most pleasant.”

Next time you happen to be at a nursery look out for a Jacaranda and plant it with care so it can continue giving pleasure to many generations to come