Rooted in Africa

Season 1 · 2018 · 5 episodes

Episodes

1Memoirs of AcaciaAcross rippled dunes, in the wind-swept grasslands of the southern Kalahari, a magnificent Camelthorn towers from amongst the blackthorn bushes. The tree stretches its branches towards the heavens as if to embrace the landscape around it. Growing from but a sapling, it has transformed into the imposing thorn tree it is today. The Camelthorn has been anchored to its spot in the Kalahari for two centuries. From the colony of Sociable Weavers that nest within the tree's grasp, to the larger herbivores that feed on the tree's pods, there is an abundance of life that visit the tree.
2Sweet SeductionOn the edge of the waterways in the Selinda Reserve, grows one of Africa's more exotic trees, a mighty Sausage Tree. The tree beguiles and entices an array of wildlife, from birds and insects, to much larger animals like the African elephant. For generations local healers in Africa have used sausage trees to help young men enhance their manhood, and young women to grow bigger breasts. This is the intimate story of the seducer among trees.
3The GiantIn the lush, tropical forest surrounding South Africa's Soutpansberg Mountains, we meet one of the world's most awe-inspiring giants, a 600-year-old Outeniqua Yellowwood. At 35 meters, she is Queen of this forest. There is an abundance of life that visit the Giant, from beautifully grotesque spiders that spin their webs amongst the tree's branches, to Samango Monkeys and Guinea Fowl that feast on the Queen's cones.
4The Rock SplitterThe arid, rocky terrain in Goegap Nature Reserve burns in the hot African sun. But not everything in the parched landscape is wilted and bleak, on the edge of a rocky outcrop, an enormous tree boasts with large, leathery, heart-shape leaves. Its pale, gnarled, crinkled roots feeling their way across the massive boulders it's perched on, some splitting the rocks in order to find water. This is a Namaqua Rock fig, a tree of myth and fantasy.
5The Hollow HeartThis is the incredible story of a tree that has been around for eight hundred years - that can withstand the harshest conditions - and that is more loved by insects, birds and animals than any other - an enormous Baobab rooted on the Savannah of Malilangwe Game Reserve in southern Zimbabwe.