Ghaf-National Tree Of UAE-Prosopis Cineraria

🌳Why the Ghaf Tree is Special

✔National icon– Official tree of the UAE since 2008
✔Extreme drought survivor– Grows where rainfall is <150mm/year
✔Cultural heritage– Provided shelter/building material for centuries
✔Eco-warrior– Combats desertification & shelters 30+ native species

🌿 Growth & Form

• Mature size: 6-10m tall (slow-growing)
• Canopy: Wide, umbrella-shaped (5-8m spread)
• Leaves: Delicate bipinnate, yellow-green
• Flowers: Creamy spikes (March-April)

🏆 Superpowers

• 50°C tolerant – Thrives in brutal desert heat
• Salinity resistant – Grows in coastal & inland areas
• Deep roots – Taproot reaches 30m+ for groundwater

📍 Ideal Locations

• Desert resorts & golf courses
• Highway landscaping
• Heritage sites & parks
• Private villas (symbolic centerpiece)

💧 Water Needs

• Establishment: Weekly for first 6 months
• Mature trees: No irrigation needed (natural rainfall sufficient)

🌱 Planting Tips

• Season: Plant Oct-Feb for best establishment
• Soil: Prefers sandy, well-draining substrates
• Spacing: Minimum 5m between trees

🚀 Maintenance Advice

• Pruning: Only to remove deadwood
• Pests: Naturally resistant (rarely needs treatment)
• Propagation: Best from seeds (pre-treated)

📜 Cultural Significance

• Bedouin proverb: "Death cannot visit you under a Ghaf"
• Traditional uses: