I was surfing Wikipedia, reading about acacias and I came across this acacia tortilis tree in The tenere region of the Sahara. It was the most isolated tree in the world. The only one for 400 km. it was a landmark on the caravan route. The people had deep respect for it. When a well was dug near the tree, it was found that the roots reached down to the water table. Unfortunately it was knocked down by a drunk truck driver. A monument was erected in its place.
http://en.m.wikipedia.or...u_T%C3%A9n%C3%A9r%C3%A9
Commander of the Allied Military Mission, Michel Lesourd, of the Service central des affaires sahariennes [Central service of Saharan affairs], saw the tree on May 21, 1939:
โ One must see the Tree to believe its existence. What is its secret? How can it still be living in spite of the multitudes of camels which trample at its sides. How at each azalai does not a lost camel eat its leaves and thorns? Why don't the numerous Touareg leading the salt caravans cut its branches to make fires to brew their tea? The only answer is that the tree is taboo and considered as such by the caravaniers.
There is a kind of superstition, a tribal order which is always respected. Each year the azalai gather round the Tree before facing the crossing of the Ténéré. The Acacia has become a living lighthouse; it is the first or the last landmark for the azalai leaving Agadez for Bilma, or returning.[4]
This was a truly remarkable tree, a symbol of the resilience of life.
The above quote is also noteworthy as it contrasts the mindset of the toureg people who respected the tree just because, and the Europeans, who couldn't understand why the locals didn't simply view the tree as a resource to be exploited.
I just can't see how a truck driver hits the only tree for 400 km.
I don't think I've heard of another tree anywhere that was loved so much that when it died, a monument was erected to symbolize it.