Quiver Tree Forest

Quiver tree forest

Dolerite rocks and quiver trees

The Quiver Tree Forest (Kokerboomwoud in Afrikaans) is a forest and tourist attraction of southern Namibia. It is located about 14 km north-east of Keetmanshoop on the road to Koës, on the Gariganus farm. It comprises about 250 specimens of Aloidendron dichotomum, a species that is also locally known as the quiver tree (Afrikaans: kokerboom) because the San people traditionally used its branches to make quivers. The forest has grown spontaneously; the tallest quiver trees are two to three centuries old. The forest was declared a national monument of Namibia in 1995.

The quiver tree is also known for looking upside down because the "leaves" look somewhat similar to roots. This tree is associated with a long history of folklore, for instance that it will bring good luck to anybody that worships a tree and nurtures it. Since diamonds have been found in Namibia, people say that if one of these trees is dug up, one will find diamonds where it has grown, but since these trees are blessed nobody wants to dig them up.

Near the forest, there is another tourist attraction, spectacular for its unique geology, the Giant's Playground, a vast pile of large dolerite rocks.

Ecology

The Quiver Tree Forest holds tremendous ecological value within its native landscape. Bright yellow flowers bloom from June to July, when a huge variety of insects, birds, and mammals are drawn to the abundant nectar.

Fauna

The forest is home to rock hyraxes living amongst the rocks.

Other Quiver Tree Forests

Although Aloe dichotoma is common in southern Africa, there are only a small number of natural quiver tree forests, most having been created by humans; one of them is found in the Karoo National Botanical Garden of Worcester, South Africa.

External links

• The web site of the Quiver Tree Forest Rest Camp