Indigenous Trees

Indigenous Trees

Among Breathtaking Views 

and Juniper Giants' Care

Addis Ababa, the Capital, can be seen veiled in the morning's mist. In an alpine-like Highland, a dramatic landscape reveals forgotten secrets, where a light trembling wind caressed a consciousness in awe. From a land sojourning in celestial domains arrived a fragrance of forgotten purity as a call from far beyond. High above the mists' veils, this landscape is an enchanting scene where, along the slope, towering Juniper trees from the days of old rise. Precious lifts their fragrance of honey's ardour, where the aroma of wild incense is calling. These are the awakening Juniper trees, beauty from the past, so intense and graceful that memory beyond time appears.


The Adventure for the Well-Equipped Family

Travelling in the landscape on foot in the early mornings and seeing this place may seem like a physical obstacle or even a journey toward dangerous adventures beyond sense and reason. However, this is a true statement and description, but then only in the imagination of the forebode emotional experience. Although this journey upward appears like an adventure to an unknown past, to a supremely magnificent Era where man has not yet obtained full power over Nature. Yet, serene and enchantingly inviting, this landscape lingers as venerated domains of bygone days. Far beyond corrupted borders, this landscape of forgotten dreams thus offers a journey to the lost salvation for any wandering soul.


A Landscape Of Joy & Unforgettable Memories


Very remote vaguely appears, the Capital and civilization's
settlements here from the elevated location on the outer
 rim of the high plateau (16). The Dreams of Pure Nature
are offered by almost every view, also in the mighty
abyss and Canyon's uphill adventure
The Wild Forest of the Ancient

Elusive in its guise but lingering with its serene mantle among the trees of antiquity, the silent, dark ridges from the night still prevail. Serene leaves the night's last shadows while the tickling aromatic Juniperus fills the veils of darkness's withdrawal in purging resurgence. Among the trees of the past aeons, this cradle of each soul offers a realm where nights of sweetest ardour evoke harmony without pettiness and fear. 


These are the mornings of lost dreams' enigmatic dwellings where the inviting bed of twilight ridges recently left but precious remains as mysterious shadows among furrowed trunks in a landscape of old. Sojourning in the realm of peaceful twilight, this ancient woodland's nocturnal curtains uncover each dream's ardour where the forgotten wind of grace still dwells. Here, allures the wind of well-fragrance and celestial ambrosia from the days of old to a landscape of heavenly clime.


Among breathtaking Views and Juniper Giants' care

These magnificent and powerful Juniperus procera trees appear reminiscent of a park-like setting, and due to their mighty patinated appearance, they certainly stimulate picnics in reverence. Thus, their mighty guise entices the youth's forgotten dreams to emerge from the mist of enchantment, to be evoked once more beyond the days of old. With their furrowed pillars and lofty hall of green crowns, they appear here on the outer edge of the high plateau. Yet, even more, they dominate the site and seem to invite to this mighty green room for the cosiness in pleasure and picnics. Indeed, they seem to originate from a high historical culture even though they are here and just a minute's walk uphill. Then, when gazing down the landscape, like in the pictures above, along the well-undulated slope towards Entoto Kidane Mehret (1) and the Capital, the view is well-decorated with native well-matured Juniperus procera trees.

Memories and Dreams of the Venerated Landscape

Emerging through history like its most dignified herald, they offer advisory paths in gentle splendour. Magnificent in serenity, their patina from a still veiled and glorious era allure with its silent advisory grandeur and delightful elusive stamina. Powerful and sculptural are their branches, as the arch and gateway to a secret kingdom, evoking the noble resurrection of humankind's consciousness. Thus, these trees of the revered era impressively raise their furrowed pillars and produce silent veneration for entities from an almost forgotten noble world. Well-tempered through aeons in mighty silence, they relieve the worn-out souls from worries and pettiness. They emerge through the mist of history in the guise of real living entities with the stamina of awe-inspiring antiquity. Yet, irresistible and seductive in secret vitality, alluring in their serene surprise, these trees from the lost aeons express their ancient origin.


Viewpoint (16) is just at the outer rim of the high
plateau and an excellent place for family picnics.
Bees' Cliff 14 
requires caution in the Canyon but
 
assists by the wide map loop surrounding the
 gentle and fascinating 
points 36 and 41-42
Direction Maps & Routes

The Lost Noble Era: Exploring its Essence

Still magnificently beautiful, but the panorama picture above towards the dim-capped Capital hides something unique from an almost forgotten era of beauty and splendour. Hence, turning some steps upwards from point (16) while just passing over the outer threshold of the high plateau reveals both a mighty and cosy treasure of lost aeons. Thus, after just the cosiest promenade to the rim of the high plateau while going uphill, the veiled scene behind the camera's view from point (16). Hiding high above the dim-capped Capital appears from the mountain's history group of magnificent and enchantingly furrowed Juniperus procera trees, with their captivating picnic site from the lost aeons.

Magnificent Juniper Trees of the High Plateau
Such inviting beauty appears here that any visitor is profoundly attracted to stay for many activities with the well-equipped family picnic or only admiring furrowed highland relics from a time beyond memories. These indigenous Juniper trees appear mighty with their furrowed pillars, configured uniquely and appear to have an origin from a past culture of noble ancestry. This site of impressive Juniperus procera trees is near, just some steps uphill from point (16) towards (14).



The Journey To Grandiose Views and Landscape

Hike Towards Serenity Of Lost Dreams Domains

Initially, this journey seemed immeasurable through the challenge in the landscape itself, but this belief in anticipation soon becomes a hasty delusion and surprisingly nice fallacy. This pleasant deception appears because the walk upward contains continually recurring experiences that make each of the resting places of the journey pearls just within themself. Among these gems of grand canyon drama and breathtaking views are several sites that significantly contribute to rejuvenating the trip's charming character where viewpoint (16) fascinates and allures with incredible highland landscape with cosy picnics and many activities for the well-equipped family.


Nature Delivers Experience Beyond Knowledge

The primaeval and dense indigenous Juniper procera forest is nearby, with above 50 years forest of wild and original trees and provides an excellent choice for those who want a deeper forest. This forest (40) is just east but still hidden behind a small ridge to the right or east of viewpoint (16) and on the mountain's eastern slope. This native Juniper forest provides a unique insight into how Nature emerged before the introduction of Eucalyptus trees from Australia over 100 years ago.


Ethiopia's Indigenous Vegetation with 

Historical and Biological Background


Podocarpus falcatus This plant 
 carries a unique heritage that can
be very important for the Park's
 legacyIt was originally picked
 as seed from the mother tree in
the circle (B) just to the west of 
the path at the left of the area
(39) and clearly above (38)

The indigenous Podocarpus falcatus (P. gracilior)     (Am:  Zigba)   (Or:  Birbirsa) 
This tree is scarce at Entoto and does not appear to compete with the eucalyptus-planted surroundings. In the barren, eroded, exposed lands following the toxin-deformed effect since the introduction of the alien eucalyptus tree over a hundred years ago interrupted the endemic Podocarpus tree from giving surviving progeny. At this time, science didn't exist internationally about the necessity of laboratory examination of plants' and animals' environmental toxicity. The original Ethiopian trees' properties provided a dense network of roots to form a reinforcing tangled indigenous vegetation with a pre-historical quality of tremendous strength, delivered from the past aeons' evolution.

Dedicated Work on the Restoration of the Original Nature.
Therefore, a devoted restoration of this original Nature continues with extensive work to re-form an upper soil layer with a protective undergrowth. Consequently, it would be a very significant surprise to receive information about a new generation of this highly-blessed historic Podocarpus falcatus trees, which still grow as ancient furrowed entities in a magical, graceful, appealing landscape. However, in modern times, these aged and patinated creased native podocarpus trees in these modern times are very unusual in the Park. Yet, this concealed mountain Nature describes the unique landscape hillside assisted by the map loop (B) with the location of these native Podocarpus trees.


Mighty Crowns of Historical

Juniperus procera Trees

Within the map, Circle (B) provides assistance in finding objects otherwise obscured. Hence, to the right side within the loop (B) appears the unique crown location of these native Juniper procera trees. They appear on a somewhat sturdy raised elevated plane above the open field (39) - (B). They constitute several impressive muscularly furrowed and native Juniperus procera trees where their crumpled appearance towers awe-inspiring dominate the surroundings like silent creatures from a past. These trees appear mysterious in complexity, imprinting the landscape with the farmhouse, pleasantly resting just below, and giving the impression of a real majestic antiquity character over the scene.  This Circle (B) can be used as a discreet directional pointer of the type that uses the traditional dial. The pointer's intended tip is an excellent tool for finding otherwise hidden objects. Thus, the intended end set at 3:30 shows a pleasantly elevated area above the field (39).


The healing capacity of the native forest

The natural health and fertile beauty in this indigenous Juniper forest (40) illuminates with precision the healing ability of a native forest and gives the natural stimulus to prevent and heal the severe erosion and habitat loss that occurred at the introduction of the Eucalyptus tree. The importance of careful research regarding knowledge in natural science is given as an insightful and evident example before any foreign species is regarded as possible for an introduction into an unfamiliar and vulnerable habitat.


Magnificent Furrowed Trees


The Mother Tree (Podocarpus)

Podocarpus Trees, Paths - The Map Loop (B)
When using map circle (B) as an intended pointer, restrict to 60% of its total length at four o'clock, and it becomes possible to find a magnificent native Podocarpus tree to the left of the hiking trail (link above). The intended direction indicator in the maps allows a method to be used here with a limited length in the intended dial. This method assists in distinguishing objects farther but also more centrally located on the map loop (B)'s intended clockwork. This undulated hillside includes a magnificent meadow (39) - (B) with an irresistibly picturesque farmhouse next to the path.

Direction Assistance in the Map Loop (B) 
The intended pointer clockwork gives direction, and when its outermost tip reaches its full extent at 4:30, it points to a concealed and dense forest area just south of the field (39)-(B). To see several other indigenous Podocarpus trees requires looking just below this field (39) and to the right side in the lower part of this circle (B). The easiest way to reach these trees is to use the crossroad, just outside the lower part of the circle (B), where these trees just above appear to hide deeply from a forgotten past. This rather wild and wavy slope, with several native Podocarpus falcatus trees, appears in veneration.


The Wild and Fertile Forest from the Ancient Era.

This original and compact Juniper forest (40) on the eastern hillside, just to the right of (16), is captivatingly wild and consists of more than 50-year-old indigenous Juniperus procera trees. These native trees provide a unique contact to this dramatic but gentle Nature with its inviting and refreshing touch of high mountainous altitude. Yet this landscape and its native forests, surprises with nearly magical furrowed proportions of primaeval lushness, reveal a natural and incredible Highland scenery beyond what a visitor would usually expect in proximity to the Capital. This native Juniper woodland (40) is massive in appearance and stunning in vitality, with a perfect, lush and dense undergrowth.


The Resting Place from the Era of Dreams

When arriving at this high altitude, at the outer threshold of the high plateau (16), the appearance delivers many unique views and impressions, even a captivating surprise with a group of impressive, majestic Juniper trees. Albeit, the more ancient Juniper trees in this area remain hidden from the camera just some steps uphill from point (16), where they appear gracefully magnificent and inviting just above the outer rim of the high plateau. However, even though concealed from this camera view in the header image, they allure in complete contact with a magnificent open room below their green crown. Hence, while gazing down the southern slope from point (16) towards the dim-capped Capital far below, these trees irresistibly entice as the cosiest surprise just 50 metres back and upward from the header image's view, yet with their mighty guise in overwhelming contact.


Grand Views and Trees from the Past Aeons

The loop (B) assists by surrounding the points (35)
(38) and (39), which all provide grand landscapes.
Bees' Cliff 14 
requires caution in the Canyon but
 
assisting by the wide map loop surrounding the
 gentle and fascinating 
points 36 and 41-42
Description of the Hiking Paths

Directions Maps to Trees of Legends.
The routes towards these historic trees and their captivating surroundings follow the paths to high-point views (14) - (16). The map loop (B) encircles the crossroads at this slope and rock ledge, thereby assisting in finding the location of continuing paths upwards. From this loop (B), the courses soon arrive at the adorable farmhouse's meadows (39) - (B) with mighty Juniperus procera trees in its upper regions. The upward hike is relatively gentle, where map loop (B) serves by surrounding points (35), (38) and (39). The lower area of the circle (B) also offers an adventure to the Italian fort's ruin (38), providing a picnic place with a beautiful view over the landscape's elevation.

The Canyon and its River give Direction in the Circle (B)
The two crossroads are located just to the right of the Canyon and its river (35) - (B) and one in the lower part of the circle (B). The second crossroad is to the right, just outside the loop (B), and its path upwards is beautiful with furrowed Podocarpus trees and soon the meadows of the farmhouse (39). However, these crossroads align with the lower part of the circle (B) and provide a gentle west-to-east ledge and start for these crossroads. Regardless of the following paths within the loop (B), they will soon arrive at the farmhouse's meadows (39) - (B).


 


The Secure Way Back for Lost and Worried People
To find out from this enchanting and beautiful original forest (40) just east of point (16), a lost person only ought to follow its very apparent slope down the east of the valley and thus in short contact with the open environment and clear paths that quickly show where you are in the relationship with the rest of the Park. In addition, point (19) and further the valley [A] of Entoto Kidane Mehret (32) are very close and reached quickly. This pleasant return Entoto Kidane Mehret (32) is a gentle route downwards without gorges or precipices. 

Mountain Maps & Alerts with Assistance from Point (37)

The superficial water-conducting metal pipe (37) assists the mountain hike described above. With its apparent suitability, this water-conducting pipe begins on the slope above the valley [A]. This place is easily reached from below the valley [A] with comfortable passing between a couple of cottages before it continues and reaches a gentle high level on the mountain's shoulder (38) - (B).


Impressive but Evasive Hyenas

Besides, regarding this type of beautiful, native Nature, it's not surprising that the wildlife fancies the health of their home and the quality of their environmental origin. However, since muscular but elusive hyenas hide under the long shadows of the trees, the overall impression of this forest can be perceived as scary and not without a somewhat thrilling adventure. Therefore, careful behaviour is prudent for sensitive people with reduced health and mobility, even if the wild animals avoid contact within this deeply primaeval woodland (40).


The Australian Eucalyptus Tree

and its Foreign, Tactical Hostility

The Eucalyptus Problem
A chemical component with an intricate competition-oriented toxic defence system in the leaves and roots of Eucalyptus trees prevents the growth of other trees and herbs. This chemical component leads to a mono-culture with eucalyptus as the only tree species and eventually no ground cover. This chemical component causes severe erosion, which is easily observed in the water running through Addis, connected with the rainy seasons.

 
The Environmental Dangers of the Eucalyptus Tree.  
Due to these shortcomings in the water-preserving capacity of the Eucalyptus plantation, it cannot counterbalance the uneven distribution of rain. The result is often torrential flooding in the down-slope areas, in this case, the northern district of Addis Ababa. In August 1994, it created a fatal danger because of overwhelming and sudden flooding.



Complications Of Indigenous Forest Restoration


Water and Shelter for Saplings

Thus, it is impossible to recreate a stable and healthy nature by replanting a few native trees on a devastated plateau; instead, these sporadically planted young plants on the table will require tender care with irrigation and protection against grazing animals and shade from the blistering seasonal sun. Furthermore, on the slopes, these young plants most often need some temporary stabilizer of the ground and protection in something that mimics the wind and sun-protective effect of many mother trees. In addition, sporadically placed young plants can only offer a very rudimentary and weak protective network against erosion; instead, there is the obvious risk that these young plants will, in all probability, soon perish in the struggle against the great forces.



The Precarious and Fragile Restoration Of the Lost Nature

 Science, much time and labour are needed for environmental restoration; this demands massive protection projects to offer the young plants the replacement for the lost biotope and its vital natural protective properties. Hence, restoring a lost biotope that creates valuable drinking water is complicated and requires much work to recreate a reliable substitute for the missing shielding armour of the primaeval forest. Therefore, due to the absence of the essential protective functions of mother trees and other plants, enormous efforts are required to recreate these guardian functions for the tender indigenous seedlings, which otherwise do not survive the very exposed ground. Thus, this process of environmental restoration includes what was previously prehistorically self-evident as a crucial basis for the survival of all higher life forms.

  Environmental Restoration  

  Check Dam Swales  

  Planting Technology  

  Erosion Prevention  

  Terraced Micro-Basins  

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and as the paths end beyond their boundary, 
this can cause great difficulty in orientation.


The photograph at the head shows the view from the outer rim of Entoto Natural Park's plateau No.16 with indigenous Juniperus procera trees. The lovely meadows of the farmhouse (39) - (B) are reminded near beneath the slope's undulated terrain and not far below even the spiritually chanting walls of Entoto Kidane Mehret Church (32). From viewpoint (16), it provides resting places for picnics in social tranquillity and contemplation about the unique Nature, which is facilitated quickly by the high point of view, even over the mist-veiled Capital far below the southern slopes.



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Inside Ethiopia, Tours invites you to be part of an unforgettable experience in Entoto Natural Park. We will meet in our office, located in Kazanchis (just in front of the UNECA back entrance), and our guide will accompany you in the local taxis up to the mountain. This is an excellent opportunity for you to experience Ethiopian commuting. 


Once we arrive on Entoto Mountain, where the capital city was first founded in 1886, you will undoubtedly feel like having mentholated topical ointment. Yes, we are not big fans of the Eucalyptus tree either! That is why we want to promote indigenous seedling planting in Ethiopia by contributing to the Ethiopian Green Legacy.



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Where do you plan to make your mark?

The Ethiopian Heritage Trustee Association is working to plant more than 50,000 indigenous saplings in Entoto Natural Park and Zego Kebele Association in Ankober District to cover exposed areas.
  Organizations: Associations: Educational institutions: All those who love nature, together with our association, let's build a country with suitable air by planting saplings. Let's plant indigenous saplings together.


As we believe, we are ready and waiting for you this year. The Ethiopian Heritage Trustee Association has planted native saplings in place of Eucalyptus trees with partner organizations and members in the Entoto Natural Park. He tells you that this year, come and plant saplings together to protect the environment. For more information:

πŸ“ž Call +251 Ethiopia  

011-5-15-88-02/ 09-22-97-27-46

Ethiopian Heritage Trust - Plantation of Seedlings


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Choosing the Right Mother Tree for Seed

The Science of Indigenous Ancient Trees

The distant location but within the same country, developed fauna and flora have undergone an extremely long evolutionary optimization to best adapt to the unique condition of its geological and surrounding genetic characteristics. The unique habitat in a particular region within a country imprinted the native indigenous to receive their distinctive property of plant and wildlife depending on the remoteness unique climate.


Podocarpus falcatus  (P. gracilior)
The Importance of Seed's Evolutionary Heritage
Hence, this country's topographical isolated locations inherit different genetic requirements due to local and unique climate factors within a landscape. Therefore, regarding the country's mountainside or within its secluded gorge, the endemic tree created the specificity of their genetic heritage and the soil's uniqueness. Thus, the trees' evolutionary connection to a country's landscape makes a precious legacy for their trees' seeds, which inherit well-adapted genetic characteristics related to the location's biological uniqueness. 

Assessing Seeds Based on the Climate Zones of the Country
Hence, the genetic legacy's impact in Ethiopia's various climates and altitudes creates trees that, although belonging to the same species, developed a difference in genetic heritage. Due to this genetic climate adaptation within different regions of a country, the trees obtain their ability to deal with these different climate zones. Thus, the mistake of using the seed from a tree with its genetic origin from a moist and shady gorge as seedlings on a dry southern slope undermines these trees' ability to survive and other organisms, including humans.


Assessing Seeds Based on the Climate Zones of the Country

Hence, the genetic legacy's impact in Ethiopia's various climates and altitudes creates trees that, although belonging to the same species, developed a difference in genetic heritage to deal with these different climate zones. Thus, making the mistake of using the seed from a tree with its genetic origin from a moist and shady gorge as seedlings on a dry southern slope undermines these trees' ability to survive and other organisms, including humans.

  Trees, Shrubs, Flowers and Herbs  

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Handbook
Useful trees and shrubs for Ethiopia:

Identification, Propagation and

 Management for 17 Agroclimatic Zones

Azene Bekele-Tesemma

Edited by
Bo TengnΓ€s, Ensermu Kelbesa, Sebsibe Demissew and Patrick Maundu

The contents of this handbook may be reproduced without special permission. However, acknowledgement of the source is requested. The photographers and artists concerned must be contacted for reproduction of illustrations. The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of World Agroforestry Centre.




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Useful trees and shrubs for Ethiopia

Identification, Propagation and
Management of Juniperus procera


Juniperus procera                                         Cupressaceae
Indigenous

Vernacular names

Am:    Tid
Eng:   African pencil cedar

Ecology:
A valuable timber tree indigenous to Ethiopia and eastern Africa Highland forest 1,500-3,000 m. It is the largest Juniper in the World. It does best in high rainfall areas but can survive quite dry conditions once established. It performs well in Moist and Wet Weyna Dega and Dega agroclimatic zones.

Uses Firewood, poles, posts, timber (floors, shingles, pencils, joinery), medicine (bark, leaves, twigs, buds), ornamental, shade, windbreak.

Description: An evergreen tree about 40 m with a straight trunk, although often fluted. A pyramidal shape when young. The foliage is finer and more open than Cypress. BARK: Thin grey-brown, grooved and peeling with age.

LEAVES: Prickly, young leaves to 1 cm, soon replaced by scale-like mature leaves, blue-green, triangular, and closely overlapping branchlets.

FRUIT: Male cones small and yellow with pollen, female purple-blue fleshy "berries" about 8 mm, the pulp containing 1-4 hard seeds.

Propagation: Seedlings, wildings--often numerous.

Seeds: Germination rate 20-30%. No. Of seeds per kg: 40,000-50,000.

Treatment: Not necessary.

Storage: Up to a year if stored in a cool, dry place.

Management: Fairly fast growing in open but otherwise slow. Prune and thin trees for timber and poles.

Remarks: Litter-fall from this tree makes the soil acid, so it should not be grown with crops. It regenerates well and deserves high priority in reforestation. The wood is termite resistant, and the tree is now rare due to over-exploitation. Although belonging to the cypress family, this subgroup has no dry cones like Cupressus (Azene Bekele-Tesemma 1993).

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