African Baobab Tree (Adansonia digitata)
Scientific Name: Adansonia digitata — African Baobab.
Native Home: Tropical Africa, especially savannas and dry woodlands.
Height: 5–25 metres.
Lifespan: Often over 1,000 years.
Uses and Harvesting
Timber: Soft, fibrous wood with limited conventional timber use.
Harvesting: Fruit is collected from mature trees; bark may be harvested carefully without killing the tree.
Age to Harvest: Fruit production commonly begins after 8–23 years, depending on conditions.
Products: Fruit powder, seeds, edible leaves, fibre, and traditional remedies.
History and Global Production
Traditional Use: African communities have used baobab fruit, leaves, and seeds for food and traditional medicine for generations.
Global Spread: Native to mainland Africa and cultivated in other tropical regions for its fruit and distinctive appearance.
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