Another Ancient Tree

The Editor’s Note in the April issue concludes, “With a variety of indepth and colourful stories to suit every interest ...” and the article

‘If Trees Could Talk’ supports this statement. The authors vividly described how these majestic forest giants relate their stories. May I add yet another ancient giant tree to this collection? The Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, a sacred fig tree or Ficus religiosa, stands in the Mahamewna Gardens in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. This is supposed to be the oldest recorded tree in the world planted by man – in 288 BCE. It was propagated from a sapling sprouted from the Sri Maha Bodhi tree of Buddha Gaya in ancient India, under the shade of which Buddha attained enlightenment. DAYARATNA WEERASEKARA