Quiver Tree Forest

Quiver tree forest

The Quiver Tree Forest (Kokerboom Woud 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 Aloe dichotoma, a species of aloe that is also locally known as "quiver tree" (Afrikaans: kokerboom) because bushmen traditionally used its branches to make quivers. The forest is spontaneous; the tallest quiver trees are two to three centuries old. The forest was declared a national monument of Namibia on June 1, 1995.

Near the forest, there is another site of natural interest (itself a tourist attraction) for its geology, the Giant's Playground, a vast pile of large dolerite rocks. This tree is also known for looking like its upside down because the "leaves" look somewhat similar to roots. The "quiver tree" has a long history of beliefs that it will bring good luck to anybody that worships a tree and nurtures it. Since diamonds are very rich in Namibia, people say that if you dig up one of these trees you will get diamonds in your lifetime, but since these trees are blessed nobody wants to dig them up.

Other Quiver Tree Forests

Although Aloe dichotoma is common in southern Africa, there are only a small number of quiver tree forests proper. Most have been created by men; 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