ArborNote’s Tree of the Week is the Sausage Tree (Kigelia africana). It is native to Tanzania and across tropical Africa, and it’s known for its large, heavy, sausage-like fruits that dangle from long stalks on the tree. It grows a fruit that is up to 24 in long, weighs about 11–22 lb! It is eaten by elephants, baboons, and other wild animals. However, the fruit and bark of the plant are used by African tribes as traditional medicine. The fruit is poisonous for humans when raw, but is also made into an alcoholic drink by tribes in Kenya. Both the wood and fruit are carved into objects like traps, toys, and dining utensils, while the wood also provides fuel for rural communities. The Sausage Tree also holds significant cultural and spiritual importance for many African communities. The tree is believed to be sacred, and the fruit are widely traded in local markets as talismans believed to bring good luck in many different situations!