The Tree of Life in Bahrain

This is more than a week overdue, but better late than never, right?

Anyway, on the way back from Dubai to Jeddah, I had a 24-hour layover in Bahrain - and I decided to take full advantage of it.

Before landing, I had heard about the Tree of Life, a supposed tree in the middle of the desert whose water source remains a mystery to this day (yet flowers twice a year and is covered with leaves). So I made it my primary goal to find it - and I eventually found it.

The Tree of Life (Shajarat Al-Hayat) is a 10 meter high tree in the middle of the Bahrain desert. The only other vegetation around is some low-lying shrubs. To this day, scientists debate over its water source. Apparently, very long roots tapping into groundwater below isn't enough. Some scientists suggest a symbiotic relationship with certain fungi to increase water and nutrient absorption.

This American species, Prosopis juliflora, is well adapted to desert environments. The small leaves limit the amount of water lost through transpiration and the deep root system allows it to access aquifer water, which is usually further down in arid regions.

It is now arguably Bahrain's most popular tourist attraction. Because of this, the government has built a long concrete wall surrounding the tree to keep vehicles from damaging its immediate surroundings. If you want to get up close, you have to hoof it up the sandy hill in the heat.

The wall, in addition to protecting the tree, contains representations and locations of 19 sister trees around the world. The wall isn't always equidistant from the tree either. This is so you can see it from various distances and angles to enhance your appreciation for it (I walked the entire perimeter. It's true).

In 1986, in cooperation with the Smithsonian Natural History Museum in Washington, D.C., the tree was estimated to have been planted in 1583, making it about 430 years old.

There is a learning area and a sundial as well. There might even be an ice-cream truck too.

This page has good directions to it.

I hope you enjoy the pictures I took.

Probably the furthest point the surrounding concrete wall is from the tree.

This concrete wall.

The Tree of Life has many sister trees around the world that share special status, like this on in Australia...

...and this one.

Not sure how often he's there. Good spot though.

That's where I learned everything about the tree.

Up close.

Cool sundial.

I absorbed some of its youthful properties...

...then hugged it goodbye.