Global Ecovillage Network/Solution Library/Protect the argan trees

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Argan is a very rare species and if remained unprotected, it will become over-used and therefore decrease in numbers. Set rules on Argan nuts collection to protect the trees, which are a valuable natural indigenous heritage found only in Morocco. Encourage local communty groups to plant new Argan trees.

Known as the “Tree of Life” to the Berbers for the many health benefits it brings, this spiny tree (argania spinosa) grows wild exclusively in the south-west of Morocco in the Souss Plain, where there are 21 million trees covering almost 800,000 hectares. As a rare and endangered species, the Argan forest was declared an International Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1999. The Argan tree can reach a height of between 8 and 10 metres, and some have been known to live as long as 200 years.

The root system extends to a considerable depth, which helps to protect against soil erosion and hold back encroachment by the Sahara Desert.