Episode: One
Date: 18th April (19th in WA)
Story: Kings Park Kimberley Giant
Presenter: Trevor Cochrane

Boab trees are very unique trees due to their, shape, size and age. Every Boab tree has character and personality as you would expect of such an ancient creature. Some individual Boab trees are up to 1500 years old, which makes them the oldest living thing in the world.

In July 2008 a GIANT boab tree arrived safely at King?s Park after a 3000km ?mercy mission? from Warmun in WA?s Kimberly region-where some of the most unusual boab trees can be found-to save the 750 year old plant.

Trevor checks up on one of the most successful cases of transplanting projects in Australia.

Featured plant: Boab Tree, Adansonia gregorii

• 100 tonne crane was used to move the tree 3200 km.
• The tree was moved when it was dormant, which was an important factor for its success.
• Estimated to be 750 years old.
• Boab trees are also found in Madagascar and mainland Africa.
• To ensure its survival at Kings Park:
  • Planted in very course soil which allows it to be free draining.
  • Try and reverse the seasons, by giving it supplemental watering in dry summer and restrict water during winter.
• Boab trees can store large amounts of water in their swollen trunks.
• Best time to see the tree
  • When it is dormant (spring).
  • With as much foliage as possible (end of January).
• Indigenous Australians value the Boab as a source of water, medicine and food. The roots of seedling Boabs are high in nutrients and can be eaten raw or cooked.
• The Kimberley Giant came with 200 seedlings which Kings Park have planted, and sent 160 back up north.
• Nine species of Boab in the world, one in Australia.

Contact (to order your boab)
www.boabsinthekimberley.com.au

King Park and Botanic Garden
Fraser Avenue,
West Perth 6005
Western Australia
Ph: 08 9480 3600
Email: enquiries@bgpa.wa.gov.au
Website: www.bgpa.wa.gov.au?