Glencoe baobab named second biggest in SA
The second biggest tree in the country, the Glencoe baobab, is situated just outside Hoedspruit at the Baobab Tent Camp on the Essex road.
The largest tree in the country, the Sagole baobab, lies in the far north of Limpopo, between Tshipise and Pafuri. Both trees are prominent tourist attractions in the province Although the Glencoe baobab has a stem diameter of 15.9m, over five metres larger than that of the Sagole baobab, its overall size index is smaller than the Sagole tree.
Jöhke Liversage, daughter of Cecil Liversage, owner of the property where the Glencoe tree is located, says the tree is 17m high in comparison to the Sagole tree’s 22m. However, their crown diameters are 37m and 38m respectively. She says there are two baobabs on the property, one of them fell over years ago and has started to regrow. “The Glencoe baobab even may be the stoutest tree in the world. It is now known as the Champion tree,” she says.
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Jöhke, who runs a coffee shop at the venue, says the tree divides into several trunks close to the ground. The main trunk had lowered onto the ground a long time ago. “In November 2009 the tree split in two parts, opening up an enormous hollow. “The dates “1893” and “1896” are carved on the tree’s stem.” Radiocarbon dating performed in 2013 suggested an age of 1 835 years.
Cecil says both the baobabs enjoy international fame, partly thanks to a book about baobabs by Thomas Pakenham. Pakenham says in the book that a trip to the trees was a tremendous experience, almost religious, and well worth the trouble of finding the route to the trees. Contact Sharon at 082 332 7887 or Jöhke at 072 073 2191 to visit.
