In this quick tutorial you'll learn how to draw a Baobab Tree in 5 easy steps - great for kids and novice artists.
The images above represents how your finished drawing is going to look and the steps involved.
Below are the individual steps - you can click on each one for a High Resolution printable PDF version.
At the bottom you can read some interesting facts about the Baobab Tree.
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How to Draw a Baobab Tree - Step-by-Step Tutorial
Step 1: First, draw the roots. Draw two small diagonal lines that are next to each other but spaced out. Connected to the root you just drew, draw two spaced out lines that curve outward and then draw a “V” at the end. Repeat this in a small line, making sure they are connected.
Step 2: Next, draw the trunk of the tree. From the very far left root that you drew, draw a long slightly curved line. Draw another long slightly curved line from the very far right root.
Step 3: Then, draw the branches. How you drew your roots, draw the branches the same way but with longer lines and the “V’s” going up rather than down. Make sure they are connected to both sides of the trunk and to each other in the middle.
Step 4: Now, draw the twigs. Draw a medium sized wavy line coming out of one of your branches. Draw a few small wavy lines coming out of the sides of the medium sized wavy line you just drew. This is one way to draw a twig. Draw another wavy line coming out of another branch but with a small “V” at the end. This is another way to draw a twig. Draw both types of twigs all around and at the end of the branches.
Step 5: Lastly, draw the leaves. On one of your twigs, draw five small pointed ovals in a circle. This is a leaf. Draw them at the end of all the twigs and branches.
Interesting Facts about Baobab Trees
Baobab Trees are large trunked trees that grow as tall as 100 feet and sport smaller branches and leaves up top. Baobab tree trunks can reach 36 feet around. The huge trees are found in only 4 places: Madagascar, the African mainland, the Arabian Peninsula, and the Australian outback. Baobab Trees produce fruit that are green sacs that taste sour. The Baobab fruit is about the size of a coconut and weighs about 3 pounds. These impressive giants are near extinction and are getting harder to find in the wild.
Did you know?
- There are 8 species in this tree family.
- Despite their hardy appearance, Baobab trees are very fragile in their environment. They easily drown, are trampled by animals, and die from fungus infection. Only the oldest and tallest trees survive.
- 80% of a Baobab’s trunk is water.
- In 1890’s Australia, a trooper was delivering some Aborigine prisoners to a jail. When night fell they were stopped at a Baobab Tree. The tree was hollow and was able to hold all, but 2 of the prisoners.
- A Bushman legend from Africa states that God was angry with the Baobab Tree and planted it up-side-down as punishment.
Lesson Plan Note: Baobab Trees are central to African culture. Spend a week researching the tribes of mainland Africa and their connection to this fascinating tree.
How to Draw a Baobab Tree – Step-by-Step Tutorial