What are the features of GHAF tree?

Ghaf Tree

Botanical Description. Evergreen tree up to 25m tall; trunk un-branched for several meters; branches droop, giving the canopy a rounded appearance with short triangular spines between leaves nodes; bark is fissured or cracked.
Leaves.
Flowers.
Fruits.
Flowering.
Fruiting.
Habitat.
Distribution.

Why is the ghaf tree useful?

The tree provides environmental benefits, exhaling oxygen to reduce carbon emissions, stabilising sand dunes, improving soil fertility and boosting the growth of crop plants under its shade. With all the benefits it provides, the ghaf remains durable, living in harsh conditions and surviving scorching heat.

How long does GHAF tree take to grow?

Its root-network extends far, a grown up Ghaf tree can have 50-100 meters of roots, above ground, however, the tree grows slowly with 10-15 cm a year.

What type of root does GHAF tree have?

Ghaf trees are phreatophytes; deep-rooted plants that obtain their water from the water table. Presence of the ghaf tree indicates underground water. Its roots can tap water from supplies as deep as 30 metres.

What are the adaptations of Ghaf tree?

It can survive with very little amount of water. It has a deep root system which helps to avail water deep soil layer. The deep roots binds tightly to the soil and helps the tree to survive in desertification and strong sand dunes in deserts. It stores food in the form of seeds in pod.

Which is the biggest tree in UAE?

Ghaf
Abu Dhabi: A two-hundred-year-old tree known as “the Shabhana tree”, coming from the “Ghaf” species, is the largest and oldest in the UAE and still survives in the hearts of Sila, 370 kilometres from Abu Dhabi city.

What is the national food of UAE?

kabsa
Considered the national dish of the Emirates, kabsa, a fragrant mixture of basmati rice, lamb or chicken, mixed vegetables, cardamom, cinnamon, saffron, nutmeg and bay leaves cooked in one pot and often served in a huge mound at the centre of the table.

How do you grow a GHAF tree?

You will need:
Your Ghaf tree seeds.
Step 1: Fill the pot/s with potting soil, leaving 3-4cm from the top.
Step 2: Moisten the soil to allow the top to be level.
Step 3: Use your finger to make 2 holes into the soil, about 1cm deep.
Step 4: Place one seed into each hole (2 seeds/pot) and close the hole.

Why are the roots of the ghaf tree very long?

The tree taps water stored deep in the sand, its roots penetrating as deep as 30 metres to access it. Thus, ghaf is able to withstand very low rainfall and still stay green.

What is the root system of Banyan Tree?

Banyan tree has a tap root system in the beginning. Therefore, to provide additional support, there arise prop roots from branches of the stem that grow vertically downward. They enter the soil and bear adventitious roots for fixation on reaching the ground.

How is the Ghaf tree adapted to desert climate?

The presence of ghaf in an area indicates that there is water underground. The tree taps water stored deep in the sand, its roots penetrating as deep as 30 metres to access it. Thus, ghaf is able to withstand very low rainfall and still stay green.

Which tree is known as the tree of tolerance and why?

The main highlight of the Year of Tolerance is the Ghaf tree used as the symbol of tolerance. This may seem confusing to many, however, the Ghaf tree holds significant value. It holds heritage of environmental values and sheds light on old traditions and customs as witness to its growth throughout the years.

How tall is the Ghaf tree in the UAE?

In 2009 the ghaf tree was declared the national tree of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It is an evergreen, flowering tree able to withstand the harsh desert environment of the UAE. Adult trees are usually 3 to 5 metres tall.

Why are ghaf trees important in the environment?

The Ghaf is a drought-tolerant tree, able to withstand the harsh desert environment and still remain green. It can be found on low sand dunes and its presence is an indicator there is water underground. The Ghaf can live up to 120 years! Why are they important in the environment, natural heritage, to humans?

How many ghaf trees are planted in EAD?

EAD’s plant nursery currently stores the seeds of 58 species of native wild plants including the Ghaf tree. In 2019, 600 Ghaf trees were planted in the Al Faya Region, providing shelter and habitat for several thousand species, some of which are considered endangered globally and serve as a natural windbreaker for active winds in the area.

Is it illegal to cut down a Ghaf tree in the UAE?

It has been made illegal to cut down a Ghaf tree and organizations such as Goumbook, a UAE-based social enterprise, are also supporting the cause since 2010 by launching the ‘Give a Ghaf’ Tree Planting Program as a not-for-profit initiative to raise awareness about the problem.