It is often said that when the last tree dies, the last man dies.
Beyond the poetry, the message is simple, trees are essential to life.
They clean the air we breathe, regulate the climate, hold the soil together, and quietly sustain entire ecosystems.
Some trees do this work for decades.
Others, for centuries. And a rare few grow so large, so old, that they become monuments.
In Ghana, one such natural monument stands deep in Aprokumase, near Akim Oda in the Eastern Region.
Widely recognised as the biggest tree in Ghana and in West Africa, this giant, known simply as the Big Tree, is a massive structure in a forest.
It is a place of history, belief and reflection, where visitors step into a story that has lived for generations.
The tree lies within the Esuboni Forest Reserve, part of a continuous forest block formed together with the Essin Apam and Oboyow reserves, under the protection of the Forestry Commission and the Asene-Manso-Akroso District.
The forest takes its name from the Esuboni River, a vital water source for nearby communities such as Aboabo and Aprokumase.
It is home to notable species like the funtum (Funtumia elastica), often wrapped in climbers called “batatwene,” and the aprokuma (Anthrocaryon micraster), believed to have given the town its name.
At the centre of it all stands the giant itself — a Tieghemella heckelii, locally known as “Baku” or Cherry Mahogany.
It stands about 66.14 metres, with a base diameter of 3.22 metres, and is estimated to be over 400 years old.
According to tradition, it was discovered in 1606 by a hunter named Yaw Andoh, who followed strange voices to its location. It was later declared sacred by local leaders.
The mystery surrounding the tree remains strong. Only one branch is said to have fallen, in 1962, and many believe attempts to harm it bring misfortune.
Some old myths claimed going around it could feel endless, as though the path never finishes.
The tree is said to produce fruits ones a year in September, and although it is not eaten, its seeds are believed to have medicinal value.
People visit the site to pray, make offerings and reflect.
Coins, schnapps and other items are often left at its base, while others return with testimonies of answered prayers.
The annual festival of Akyem Manso celebrates the tree as an important cultural symbol.
Globally, there are trees that grow taller and live longer, such as the Sequoia Sempervirens in California and ancient baobabs across Africa.
Yet, the Big Tree stands out not just for its size, but for its deep cultural and spiritual meaning, reminding us that protecting nature also means protecting
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh
