Two types of ancient trees seen on a Sabbath walk with my Dad.

Posted bysandyroybessandbugzyPosted inSouth Africa 2022

Jesus was walking through Jericho on His way to Jerusalem. Zacchaeus a tax collector who wanted to catch a glimpse of Jesus arrived early and climbed a sycamore tree. When Jesus passed under the tree He surprised Zacchaeus by asking him if he could visit with him in his home. Zacchaeus was never the same again. Jesus is still full of surprises and most people love surprises.

Luke 19 : 3 – 4 / Luke 19 : 1 – 10 ( My version)
A jackalberry tree / African ebony with a termite nest beside it. Jackals are fond of the fruit hence the name. It can grow up to 80 feet with a trunk circumference of 16 feet. The trunks grow straight and high, with the first spreading branches growing far above the ground. Jackalberry trees often grow on termite mounds preferring deep alluvial soils. The termites aerate the soil around its roots but do not eat its living wood, in turn the tree provides protection for the termites. This relationship is called mutualism.
Ficus sycamores / sycamore fig. One of the oldest known tree species. Reference to the sycamore fig is made in the Bible, and specimen trees exist in the tropics that date into the thousands of years. The fluted trunks help them withstand animals or severe weather. Man and draught are the only documented threats to the sycamore fig. The life of this tree starts by an animal that eats the fruit dropping the undigested seed in nutrient rich soil near water. The young tree will start bearing at 5 or 6 years old. A mature tree will produce a ton of figs four times a year. This gives the sycamore fig the distinction of feeding more animal species in Africa than any other tree. The buds of the sycamore fig cannot become fruit and seed until they are fertilised by a fig wasp. The female wasp enters the fig cavity lays eggs and pollinates the bud. Only when the wasps leave do the figs ripen and provide seeds.
Cycamor fig tree intertwining with a jackal berry tree…
…close at all levels
I couldn’t fit this ancient sycamore fig tree into my picture but I noticed it’s full reflection (a cheat I guess). I don’t know why the lines appeared.
Our dear 93 – year – old dad Bill.

Love is like a tree it grows of its own accord, it puts down deep roots into our whole being.

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