Have you seen the six-headed palm tree yet? I was amazed to see one at Kwamoso in Ghana's Eastern Region. It stands not known to many Ghanaians although it is only less than 40 miles away from the capital city of Accra.
Normally, the oil palm tree does not have branches as other trees. But here is an exception, call it a freak or whatever.
The six headed palm tree is standing on formerly State farm oil palm plantation started in the 1960's by the Kwame Nkrumah government.
Although all other palm trees on the farm have been pulled down because of old age and poor fruit yields, the multi headed palm tree was saved from the hacking tools of the palm wine tapper.Thanks to the experts and the developers of the land who decided to save the tree because of its uniqueness.
During our visit to this one-out-of-many palm tree, a colleague, Frank Addo wondered why Ghanaian botanical and tourist authorities are not helping to preserve it for tourist and research purposes. (Ghana's beautiful Aburi Botanical Garden is about 15 miles away).
Many tourists who visit the Botanical Garden would love to see the hydra-headed palm tree if they are informed about it. The tree is quite accessible and visible from the Accra-Mamfe-Koforidua Raod.
I'm worried that the teak trees planted very close to the multi-headed palm tree could harm it. Teak could be a heavy feeder and the canopy over the palm tree could harm it in the future.
Can the hydra-headed palm tree survive the teak onslaught after the escaping the the mattock and matchets of palm wine tappers?
Would be glad to read of similar 'freaks' in nature.
