Giant, surreal baobab trees in Madagascar 28 Feb 2017

Posted on 28 Feb 2017
Madagascar Baobab Tree
Madagascar Baobab Tree
Madagascar Baobab Tree

About this photo

There are nine species of the iconic baobab tree, six of which are native to Madagascar. Baobabs can reach heights of up to 30-metres with record-breaking trunk circumferences of 47-metres; the trunk's bulbous nature is a survival method allowing the tree to hold up to 120,000-litres of water for times of drought. Seasonally, Baobabs lose their leaves when their nickname 'upside-down trees' becomes more apparent, as their branches look like short, stumpy roots. 

Spot 20-25 of the trees lining a dirt road known as the Avenue of the Baobabs on Insight Guides’ Wild Madagascar trip. The area was once a tropical forest that was cleared to make way for agricultural land. Baobab trees were saved, partly because of their value and partly as they were a valuable food source.

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Victoria Gopka/Shutterstock