The huge boab tree, usually found only in the Western Australia Kimberley region, is used as food, medicine, shelter, for art work and even as a prison cell. In 2008 one was transported down to Kings Park in Perth the info below tells a bit of the story of this magnificent tree & it's journey south.
http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/giant-boab-arrives-in-kings-park/story-e6frg12c-1111116958854
A GIANT boab tree has arrived at Kings Park after a 3000km ''mercy mission'' from Warmun in WA's Kimberley region to save the 750-year-old plant.
The boab tree had to be relocated to survive works on the Great Northern Hwy.
It is the first time a mature tree been transported across such a distance. Its weight required a larger truck to safely transport it to its new home in Kings Park.
The 750 year-old tree, which weighs 14 tonnes, towers 14m and has a branch span of 8m, has a trunk 2.5m in diameter.
Project coordinator Patrick Courtney said: “We had a call asking us how to move the boab, and we offered to find it a new home at Kings Park – 3200km south. They said yes.”
The tree is a gift to Western Australians from the local Indigenous people, the Gija, who are the traditional land owners.
“It’s a real coup for Kings Park to have such a magnificent tree, particularly with its strong cultural and historical value," Mr Courtney said.
"Mature trees rarely become available, so this will greatly enhance the 3000 native species already on show for the Australian public.
The cost of the tree’s travel would normally be about $120,000, were it not for a number of local companies who have donated their time and resources, mainly free of charge.
Major sponsors include Main Roads, BGC Contracting, Laing O’Rourke Australia, Maunsell Australia and Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority.
To return the favour, once the tree has "settled in", Kings Park staff will be collecting its seeds and growing about 200 boabs to return to the Kimberley.
It’s expected the mature boab, to be planted in the Botanic Garden, will be of major interest to thousands of visitors during the upcoming Kings Park Festival in September.
