Kenya's Taita Hills: Much more than scenic views

A section of Taita Hills. Ngangao Forest, which is one of the few remaining indigenous forests in Taita Hills, boasts of many rare tree species including one locally known as Chamsidi, or The Mother Tree. (PHOTO:MAUREEN ODIWUOR/STANDARD)

A story is told in Taita Hills of a tree that has prevented people from cutting down other trees in Ngangao Forest in Taita Taveta County. The tree, locally known as Chamsidi, or The Mother Tree, is said to be over 200 years old. Its circumference is about ten metres.

According to John Mbori, the Taita Taveta Forest Station Manager, the tree survived after "fighting back" when other trees around it had been cut down. While it was being cut, it started to fall, but stopped midway and trapped the implement that was being used to cut it in the wedge.