Dorsland tree

{{short description|Baobab Tree in Namibia on the route of the Dorsland Trek}}

The Dorsland tree, also known as the Dorsland Baobab and the Dorsland Grootboom ({{langx|af|Large Thirstland Tree}}), is a baobab tree in Namibia which is found to the south of the Khaudum National Park. At around 2,100 years old, it is believed to be the oldest tree in the country. It is {{cvt|14.3|m}} high, has a circumference of more than {{cvt|30|m}} and keeps growing despite having fallen over.{{cite web|url=https://tracks4africa.co.za/listings/item/w137901/dorsland-grootboom-ancient-baobab-tree/|title=Dorsland Grootboom (Ancient Baobab Tree)|accessdate=4 May 2019|publisher=Tracks4Africa}} In 2006, two of its oldest relatives died. The previous oldest tree in the country, known as Grootboom, was {{cvt|32|m}} high,{{cite web|url=https://www.lonelyplanet.com/namibia/attractions/baobabs/a/poi-sig/1346112/355526|title=Baobabs Natural Feature in Tsumkwe Area Namibia|accessdate=4 May 2019|publisher=Lonely Planet}} but died in 2005.

The tree was where the Dorsland trekkers camped in 1883{{cite web|url=https://www.gondwana-collection.com/news/article/2016/07/08/baobab-the-king-of-trees/|title=Baobab - The King of Trees|date=8 July 2016|accessdate=4 May 2019|publisher=Gondwanalink}} and they carved the year of the visit, "1883", into the tree. In 1891 a detachment of German troops passed the tree and carved "1891" and the name of three in the group "H. Gathemann", "E. Heller" and "D. Hannemann" into the tree.{{cite book|title=The African Baobab|author=Rupert Watson|publisher=Penguin Random House South Africa|date=12 February 2014|ISBN=9781775841692}}{{cite book|author=G.E. Wickens|title=The Baobabs: Pachycauls of Africa, Madagascar and Australia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Vu9ZX3NWPYIC&pg=PA36|date=2 March 2008|publisher=Springer Science & Business Media|isbn=978-1-4020-6431-9|pages=467}}{{cite book|author=Rough Guides|title=The Rough Guide to Namibia (Travel Guide eBook)|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l6DKDgAAQBAJ&pg=PT452|date=6 July 2017|publisher=Apa Publications|isbn=978-0-241-31933-8|pages=452–}}