The Tenere Tree

With an area of nearly nine million square kilometers, the Sahara Desert is best recognized for being the world's largest hot desert. Sand essentially occupies all of that space. But right in the middle of all that nothing, there was one really peculiar feature that had been recognized for almost 300 years: an acacia tree known as the Tenere Tree. You might drive 250 kilometers and still not come across another tree. Against all odds, that one plant somehow managed to thrive. up until a drunk driver crashed into it.

Deserts do not last forever, and the Sahara used to be more vivid than it is now. The tree was able to establish root, grow, and thrive at that point despite the shifting environment around it. The tree itself appeared about as old and dejected as any tree in the desert should, yet it was believed that its roots extended 100 feet below the surface in search of water.

The tree was felled in 1973 by a truck driver who followed the path of ancient commerce roots. Given that he drove into the only item for 250 miles in any direction, it is reasonable to assume that the rumor that he was intoxicated is accurate. The destroyed tree is now preserved in a museum in Niger, and a metal tree has been constructed in its place as a monument.