WEST BANK: A large sycamore tree is the destination of many tourists and pilgrims in the city of Jericho. But, the tree which is believed to date back some 2,000 years suffers from air pollution and lack of water, causing damage to its roots and leaves

Record ID: 217153

  • Title: WEST BANK: A large sycamore tree is the destination of many tourists and pilgrims in the city of Jericho. But, the tree which is believed to date back some 2,000 years suffers from air pollution and lack of water, causing damage to its roots and leaves
  • Date: 17th July 2014
  • Summary: JERICHO, WEST BANK (JULY 12, 2014) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF ZACCHAEUS TREE IN JERICHO TREE EXPERT, HASAN ABU SAMRA, SHOWING PICTURES OF TREE TO ANOTHER MAN PICTURES OF THE TREE (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) TREE EXPERT, HASAN ABU SAMRA, SAYING: "In the past few months, the experts noticed that the tree started to look weak and it's leaves started to turn into yellow and fall down. Th
  • Embargoed: 1st August 2014 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: West bank
  • City:
  • Country: Palestinian Territories
  • Reuters ID: LVAB9K7ZKJ2SR5435K5BF5URNCI8
  • Story Text: The sycamore tree is one of the many archaeological and biblical sites the West Bank city of Jericho has to boast, and its location at a busy crossroads makes it easily accessible to tourists.
    But, the ancient tree which is believed to date back to some 2,000 years, the time when Jesus is thought to have visited the city, is in danger of losing its prominence due to air pollution which has damaged its leaves and roots.
    The tree is located in the courtyard of a Greek Orthodox church, next to a new Russian museum complex. According to officials at the Ministries of Tourism and Agriculture, a project by a Russian professor is underway to save the tree from dying.
    Agricultural experts who have examined the tree have documented damage to the roots and branches, causing them to turn yellow and die.

    "In the past few months, the experts noticed that the tree started to look weak and it's leaves started to turn into yellow and fall down. The Russian professor Kolikov Uparshov checked the tree, and he found out that it suffered from different types of damage mainly on the leaves and it's branches were also found to be weak," said tree expert, Hasan Abu Samra.
    The tree also suffers from lack of water and premature leaf drop, explained the director of agricultural offices in Jericho.

    "The tree is getting older, it suffers from erosion in it's root. It also suffers from a number of diseases, fungal and insecticide-related diseases. The roots were mouldy. It was going to die but due to the assistance of the Russian experts and the agricultural engineers at the ministry of agriculture it is now being saved," said Ahmed Fares.
    It is not only air pollution and the lack of water that is causing the damages of the tree but other reasons linked to transport said Fares.

    ""The damage and weakness of this tree is due to pollution caused by buses parked next to it. Also the area around the tree, is made of cement which means the water can't reach the roots. This causes damage to the tree, it shrinks its leaves and roots," he added.
    Despite the damage to the tree, tourists are still visiting the site, snapping pictures before getting back on their buses. But, there may be plans to move the route where tourists pass through.

    "There is no doubt that the sycamore tree is an important tourist attraction in Jericho, so it is important to save it and take care of it. The main and important measure that the ministry of tourism, the municipality of Jericho and other organisations are considering change the route where the tourists pass through, in order to decrease the number of buses and cars passing by the tree, and to decrease the amount of pollution caused by buses," said the Director of the department of tourism in Jericho, Eyad Hamadan.
    Many people believe that Jesus and Zacchaeus, the tax collector of short stature, climbed the tree to get a better look at Jesus, when Jesus was on his way to Galilee.
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