Tree of Ténéré

The Sahara desert is the world's biggest desert, and it seems like it's getting bigger. Despite the fact that it's one of the most inhospitable places on earth, the Tuareg nomads have been roaming around in the Sahara for over two thousand years, running the trans-Saharan trade route with a lot of camels, and some really intimidating outfits.


Fig. 1: Do not mess with this guy.

The Tuareg's knowledge of the Sahara is so detailed that they don't actually consider it one desert, but rather Tinariwen, or "The Deserts". Of all the regions that make up the Sahara, the most desertified of all is the Ténéré. This is the Sahara people picture when they think desert. Hundred mile long sand dunes, scorching heat, and zero plant life.

Well, almost zero plant life. It turns out the Ténéré used to be lush, tropical forest a few million years ago. However, continents shift, climates change, and the next thing you know, you get demoted from jungle to desert. However, even in the wasteland of Ténéré, there was one plucky tree that wasn't willing to give in. The Tree of Ténéré was an acacia tree that was at one time held to be the world's most isolated tree, more than 400km from its closest neighbour. It managed to survive by sending roots down more than 100 feet to the water table. Now, if you're the Tuareg, and you're trying to run a trade caravan through more than 100,000 square kilometres of sand, a lone tree sitting out in the middle of nowhere is a pretty darn good landmark. The tree was so useful to the Tuareg that it was thought to be taboo to cut off any of its branches for firewood, despite the absence of any other wood for hundreds of miles.


Fig. 2: Tree.

You may have noticed me using the past tense for the Tree of Ténéré, and that is because it no longer exists. What befell this icon of perseverence in the face of adversity, this symbol of the indomitable spirit? It was hit by a drunk Libyan truck driver in 1973.

In his defense, he probably didn't have much room to avoid it.

To ensure the Tuareg could still use the location as a landmark for navigation, the tree was replaced with a metal sculpture, which probably now qualifies as the world's most isolated ugly sculpture.


Fig. 3: Blends right in.