The Oldest & Largest in Barbados: Boabab

Barbados has many lush trees and plants which can be seen all over the island, from the countryside to the "urban", hustle and bustle areas. Not only does the island have beautiful palm trees and coconut trees but there is one particular tree that we want to talk about. This featured tree is not only the oldest but also the largest tree on the island, its name - the Baobab Tree. Ring a bell or not? Well let us enlighten you. Barbados has only two  Baobab trees, technically known as Adansonia digitata and more commonly known as the Monkey-Bread Tree. This tree is not a native species of Barbados but originated from Gineau, West Africa. Many historians claim that the seed floated across the Atlantic and grew on the edge of a lagoon (now an exisiting park and playing field known as Queens park) The other Boabab tree can be found on Warrens Road, St. Michael. It is magnificent and very humbling to see these trees as the trunks are exceptionally wide and thick- it has been said that it takes 15 adults with their arms out stretched to fully cover the circumference- so you can imagine the width of this Baobab Tree! The tree in Queens Park is estimated to be over 1000 years old, 90 feet tall and approximately 55 feet in circumference making it the larger of the two trees seen on the island. The Baobab tree shed its leaves in the dry season and has an unusally short and stubby trunk with root like branch formations.

Known as one of the seven wonders of Barbados, we would suggest you make a quick visit to see this tree during you visit to the Capital to Bridgetown, it is truly fasinating!