A Lesson In Survival And Adaptation Presented By The Sidr Tree

Portsudan (Sudanow Magazine).
The Sidr tree (lote-tree) is more than just a plant that grows in the silence of the desert. It is a story of life and resilience, and a symbol of blessing and dignity in culture and religion. With its deep roots that defy drought, and its branches that shade passersby, the Sidr tree offers a lesson in survival and adaptation.
The local or Arab Sidr, or the desert Sidr, also known as the Nabq tree, is known in English as the Ziziphus tree, and bears the scientific name Ziziphus spina-christi, (Christ's thorn). It is believed that its name goes back to the belief that it was the tree from which the crown of thorns that was placed on the head of Jesus, peace be upon him, was made.
It is an evergreen tree in humid areas and partially deciduous in dry areas. Its height ranges between 5-10 meters, with smooth, shiny green oval leaves, and straight and curved thorns that protect it from overgrazing. Its flowers are small, greenish-yellow, and clustered, and its fruits (sidr) are small, round or oval, starting green then turning golden yellow and becoming brown when ripe, and are sweet in taste. The trees begin to bear fruit from 3-5 years old. Fruit production continues for 50-100 years with good care.

The trunk is sturdy and winding, covered with a rough, gray-brown bark, reflecting long years of adaptation to a harsh environment, while the leaves reflect a dark green, leathery surface, the underside has a light, downy texture. It is characterized by its ability to adapt to harsh environments. At the base of each leaf, there are two sharp thorns, one straight and the other curved, as if they are defensive tools that protect it from overgrazing between the leaves. The small flowers are clustered in arrays, with a yellowish-green color. Its flowers attract bees due to their rich nectar, and the fallen fruits contribute to supporting wildlife, making the sidr an integrated ecosystem that supports insects and small animals.

*The environment in which it lives*

The Sidr tree belongs to the genus Ziziphus in the Rhamnaceae family, and there are about 40-50 species distributed between tropical and semi-arid regions around the world. There are other types of Sidr that differ in size and taste, including what is known as the Persian jujube, which was introduced by the National Forestry Corporation in cooperation with Mr. Al-Sadiq Makkawi in Sudan around 2002 to develop the lands of Karb in the Wad Ashab Forest in Al-Gezira State. Its fruit is large and yellow.

The Sidr tree grows in valleys and flood plains, mainly in the central and western regions of Sudan, and large areas of Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, the Levant, and the Indian subcontinent, where it is considered part of the natural vegetation cover in valleys, dry and semi-arid regions. It requires an average rainfall of 200-600 mm annually, and it tolerates salinity and drought for its deep roots that reach groundwater. It also tolerates temperatures of up to 45°C.
The most common and natural method of propagation is by seeds, which is an easy and inexpensive method that produces strong trees with deep roots. However, it takes 4-5 years for the tree to start bearing fruit. Although this method is common and easy, vegetative methods (cuttings, layering, grafting) give faster results and higher quality, but they require experience.

*An effective tool in achieving environmental and food security*

The Sidr tree is not just a wild plant, but an economic and environmental forest resource that can be exploited in sustainable afforestation projects. With proper management according to the principles of forestry (Silviculture), Sidr can be transformed into an effective tool in achieving environmental and food security in dry areas through its multiple economic and environmental benefits and uses in several fields:
In the trade of fruits rich in vitamins and minerals that are sold fresh or dried in local markets, and are used in food industries to produce juices and jams. Honey production, and Sidr honey is one of the finest and most expensive types of honey in the world, and its price reaches $ 100-300 per kilogram. A single hive of Sidr honey is estimated to produce around 3-5 kilograms per season, making it a profitable project for beekeepers.
A farm of 1,000 Sidr trees can generate an annual income of $50,000-$200,000 depending on the quality of the honey, fruits and products derived from them. The cost of cultivation and maintenance is relatively low compared to other trees, making the net return good.

The wood, which is strong and durable, is used in carpentry and the manufacture of agricultural tools. The leaves are used in folk medicine to treat skin diseases such as wounds and ulcers and are sold as natural cosmetics for hair and skin care.

Sidr trees play an important role in combating desertification, stabilizing the soil and protecting it from erosion. They are also used as windbreaks in dry areas and provide shelter for wildlife and shade. They are a food source for animals and a source of shade in dry environments.

*A special place in Islam and heritage*

The Sidr has a special place in Islam, heritage and Arab culture. It is a religious, literary and cultural symbol, as it was mentioned in the Holy Quran in places related to Paradise and divine majesty:“And the companions of the right - what are the companions of the right? Among thornless lote trees” (Al-Waqi'ah: 27-28). The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, also recommended using it for purification, cleansing and medicine. Not only that, but the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, forbade cutting it without justification, which is a sufficient reason for entering Hell when he said (Whoever cuts down a lote tree in a desert where travelers and animals seek shade, frowning and unjustly, without right, Allah will throw him into the Fire on the Day of Resurrection).

Poets also praised it as a symbol of patience and dignity, such as Al-Mutanabbi's saying:
Like the Sidr tree in the desert, there is no one like it... A tree that, if you compare it to the clouds

In this simile, Al-Mutanabbi compares the Sidr to nobility and majesty. Despite its harshness in the middle of the desert, the Sidr is towering and strong. As mentioned in Sudanese folk poetry:

Oh Sidr, my father's home in the open desert... all the birds seek your shade and protection

Here, the Sidr symbolizes safety and protection, as the birds resort to it to find shade and comfort in the blazing desert.

It also opens wide doors towards sustainable development, by investing in its fruits, its luxurious honey, and its strong wood.
While the Sidr tree remains a witness to the history of our ancestors, it is also a hope for the future, as it can be the focus of agricultural and environmental projects that enhance food security and support the local economy.
Let us give it the attention and care it deserves, so that the Sidr tree remains a living symbol of giving and immortality.

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