Tree of Life: A symbol of nature’s resilience in Bahrain

Tree of Life, as the name suggests, is a tree of hope and positive vibes set in the middle of the dry desert landscape of Bahrain. Standing as a testament of nature’s resilience, the Tree of Life is an icon of a kind!

The tree is locally known as Shajarat-al-Hayat, and it has attracted visitors from across the globe with its timeless presence.
So, what makes this 400 years old tree so special? Well, no one could decode how this tree has been surviving amid such harsh and hostile surroundings. Despite unforgiving conditions and minimal rainfall, the Tree of Life continues to thrive, becoming a symbol of endurance.

Unique location

The unique tree stands in Jebel Dukhan, the highest point in Bahrain, surrounded by golden infinite sand dunes of the Arabian Desert. It’s about 40 km from the city of Manama. Its lone presence on a desert has left scientists and botanic experts baffled and they have still not been able to unravel the mystery behind its survival!

People are astonished with the fact that with so little rainfall and no freshwater sources in the region, the tree is standing tall and is green like heaven.

Claims and myths

No one knows how the tree is surviving, but some believe that the roots of the tree are 50 m deep, which may be enough to get its required water. Then, there are people who say with time the tree has learned to get moisture from sand grains.

There’s another group which believes that the Tree of Life stands where once was the Garden of Eden. So there’s some sort of mystical source of water, which is behind the tree’s soul.

Today, this oasis of life stands as the country’s top most natural wonder and attractions. Nearly 65,000 visitors visit this tree every year! It has become a pride of the nation and a symbol of the country's rich heritage. The locals have immense faith in this tree and they consider it sacred.