Aloidendron dichotomum
(f.k.a. Aloe dichotoma)
The Quiver Tree is a kind of tree aloe growing in extremely arid, often rocky, areas with well-drained coarse sand as substrate. These hardy plants can live for 80 years or longer and grow to over 7m tall. Quiver Trees bear their bright yellow flowers in winter (June & July) and these are a favourite source of food for many nectar-eating birds and insects, and also baboons. Large Quiver Trees are a favoured site for the huge communal nests of the sociable weaver.
Quiver Trees occur only in Namibia and South Africa’s Northern Cape Province. Augrabies Falls National Park is one of the best locations in South Africa to see magnificent specimens of this unique plant in its natural habitat.
The San people hollowed out the branches of the Quiver Tree to make quivers in which to keep their hunting arrows, hence the name. The fibrous trunk was also hollowed out to use as a natural refrigerator for meat, vegetables and water.
DeWetsWild 
my first thought when seeing these wonderful trees was, ‘broccoli florets!’ they are so whimsical (the trees) and i’m sure via imagination – you often personify them the way one can turn clouds into various shapes…
thank you for sharing so many great images of this unique tree – and for the trivia as well!
Thanks, Lisa! They absolutely have such “charisma” that it is impossible to imagine this desert part of our country without Quiver Trees.
Like Soybend, I see similarities between these Quiver Trees and Joshua Trees in the Mojave desert in the US. However, Quiver Trees are doing well, while Joshua Trees are in decline.
Isn’t that just so sad, Hien? They’re such iconic emblems of their native range and it would be terribly sad if they disappeared.
Fascinating plant! Flora is often overlooked when Africa is showcased. Thanks for including.
These trees are too iconic of the Augrabies-area not to pay them special attention, Alanna!
Pragtige fotos. Wonder hoekom dit “koker” of dan “quiver” boom genoem word.
Dankie Ineke. Die naam is as gevolg van die San (Boesman) mense wat die stamme uitgehol het om kokers (quivers) vir hul pyle te maak.
Oooo nou verstaan ek. Nooit die koker by die pyl en boog gesit nie!
A very interesting and beautiful tree. The sunset shot is amazing.
Thank you very much, Maralee!
Well, I had to do some searching for this one. Wikipedia says, “The sociable weaver (Philetairus socius), also commonly known as the common social weaver, common social-weaver, and social weaver, is a species of bird in the Weaver family endemic to Southern Africa. It is the only species assigned to the genus Philetairus. It is found in South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana. but their range is centered within the Northern Cape Province of South Africa. *They build large compound community nests, a rarity among birds.* These nests are perhaps the most spectacular structure built by any bird.”
I would say so!
We’ll have even more impressive sociable weaver nests to show you soon, Beth!
You have captured this iconic plant so well. It is fascinating in every aspect. The yellow flowers are always such an interestingly delicate contrast to the fleshy leaves and flaking bark.
They’re so iconic of the thirst-land landscape at Augrabies, it is impossible to imagine the Park without these beauties.
I hadn’t thought of it like that, but that is true.
Ons gaan oor so 2 weke ‘n bietjie na Namibie, wil graag na die kokerboom bos naby Keetmanshoop gaan kyk!! Dis ongelooflike mooi foto’s Dries!
Ek hou duim vas dat julle n ongelooflik lekker ervaring sal he, Aletta!
Ek glo Ons sal😊
Very beautiful and special tree! Have never seen anything like it. It grows in a variety of styles, some long, narrow, and many with thick tree trunk.
They really are iconic of the area in which they grow, John, and so photogenic!
Very beautiful but my favorite is that first photo.
Thanks a lot, P J B!
O ja, ek wou nog sê die versamelnes in die boom, is besonders!
Die versamelvoelneste wat ons hierdie afgelope vakansie gesien het het behoorlik ons asems weggeslaan!
Dis nog altyd vir my een van die interessantste en mooiste voëlneste. Blykbaar is dit heerlik koel in die somer en warm in die winter, binne in daardie neste. Die voëltjies is net so oulik en raak lekker mak…sit en eet uit mens se hand!Ek wens mense kon ook so in vrede saamleef.
Ek kan my indink dat die neste goed geinsuleer is – kyk maar net hoe effektief is n grasdak om die temperatuur in n mensewoning draaglik te hou! Maar met al daai vlooie en ander parasiete wat daarbinne moet rondkruip sal ek eerder nie vir myself probeer uitvind nie… 😀
🤣🤣
Een van my gunsteling bome! Julle was gelukkig om in blomtyd daar te wees. Dis darem ‘n pragtige gesig. Mal oor jou foto’s, veral die laaste een, Dries.
Die Kokerbome is darem so eie aan daardie deel van ons land, Dina. En dan is hulle nog so mooi daarby!
In Namibië is ‘n paar plekke waar mens pragtige bome aantref. Dit maak iets in my wakker.
Hulle help beslis skep aan n ongerepte atmosfeer wanneer mens hierdie plekke besoek.
An interesting tree! It reminds of Joshua trees in the desert of southwestern U.S.
You’re very right about the similarity!
Thanks so much for all the photos, I found both the Quiver Tree and the huge communal nests amazing! Greatly enjoyed this post 🙂
Wonderful to know – thank you very much, Liz!
Fascinating! I had never heard of that tree.
Glad we could introduce you to our Quiver Tree!