Tree of Ténéré, Solitary acacia in Ténéré region, Niger
The Tree of Ténéré was an acacia that grew for centuries in the heart of the Sahara in Niger, serving as a landmark for caravans crossing the desert. Its roots extended more than 100 feet (30 meters) deep to reach underground water.
The acacia survived at least three centuries in the sand before it was struck down by a truck driver in 1973. Its trunk was then moved to the Niger National Museum in Niamey.
Local tribes maintained strict protection of the tree, establishing rules that prevented nomads and their camels from consuming its leaves or damaging it.
A metal sculpture now stands at the original site where the acacia once grew, marking the location. Travelers crossing the Ténéré Desert can visit this installation during their journey.
The acacia appeared on maps at a scale of 1:4,000,000, an honor usually reserved for major cities. The excavation team in 1938 found that its roots reached down to the edge of an underground lake.
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