Baobab Relocations

A celebration was held recently near Musina in Limpopo, to celebrate the 5th anniversary of the relocation of 36 baobabs, including three ancient, mature trees. The trees have all re-established themselves, and are growing and thriving in their new locations, 5 years after the transplanting exercise.The South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) has the responsibility of managing the national road system to promote economic growth, balancing this with protection of the environment. Five years ago a re-alignment of the N1 near Musina and the Beit Bridge was necessary, and it was discovered that 56 baobab trees lay on the route. The road alignment was changed to save as many of these historic trees as possible, and the remaining 36 trees were moved at a cost of around R250 000.Three of these trees were mature, and estimated to weigh from 60 to 100 tons. The project involved the design and construction of special equipment and sledges to move the trees, which were then propped with cables and poles t