Baobab trees grow in arid and semi-arid parts of Africa, and have deep cultural and ecological significance. Some of these trees are thousands of years old. Global demand for baobab products has surged in recent years, driven by the fruit’s nutritional and health benefits.
However, this growing demand has become a double-edged sword, raising concerns about the sustainability of these ancient trees. Patrick Maundu, who is part of a research project to document the heritage of the baobab tree in Kenya, explains what can be done to protect the tree for future generations.