Appearance

As a result of overgrazing, as well as poaching for medicinal use, the Argan tree is now considered endangered. Because of this, the Moroccan government has set up several national reserves for the species' protection, most recently one in 2009. In addition to illegal logging, a loss in habitat has weakened populations and made it susceptible to disease.

The Argan tree can grow from 5-25 m (15–80 ft) tall with a straight trunk bearing dark grey bark. The tree forms very hard wood, similar in strength to the oak but 30% lighter. The tree is valued for its tall straight trunk, which is used for making furniture and barrels; it is also used in the making of musical instruments, especially drums.

Argan Tree near Tafraoute Credit : Bjørn Christian Tørrissen

The leaves are compound and grow on long branches. Each leaf has 11-17 lanceolate dark green leaflets arranged spirally around a central stem. They are approximately 140mm (5.5 inches) long by 12mm (0.5 inches) wide with a leathery texture and an acute apex or tip (pointed shape). The Argan tree has small violet flowers that grow on short axillary shoots near the end of each year's growth, between November and December. The fruit which grows from the axillary shoots is a palm-shaped drupe which has a brown, pitted and wrinkled shell. It contains three or four hard, thin-skinned nuts around 1cm (0.4 inches) long.

The Argan tree's occurrence in North Africa is limited to Morocco, where it is native to the Anti-Atlas mountains and the Rif region. In Morocco it grows mainly in highly disturbed areas: degraded or abandoned agricultural lands, formerly intensively cultivated areas, land that was previously planted with olive trees and fruit trees but was now overgrown with scrubby brush (desertification). The Argan tree also grows in degraded canyons, along streams, and in rocky depressions at an altitude of between 1,600 and 2,500 m (5 to 8oo ft).

The Argan tree is found along the coastal areas of the Anti Atlas mountains from north of Marrakech to the climate hot-spots: the High Plateaux of eastern Morocco. It is spread out over a wide area including the High Moulouya and very rare in the east near Agadir. The original range extended much further inland but has contracted since prehistoric times. The tree forms massive thickets in some areas, whereas elsewhere is scattered or absent.

The tree is also very sensitive to water sources. It can't survive in locations which are further than 1,000 meters from an accessible source of water. The water source could be a river, a well or more than likely, a local rainfall collector. In the Rif Mountains the Argan Tree is very common in valleys and on the side of slopes as well as the top of hills around 400-500 meters above sea level (1400-16oo ft). However, it is becoming increasingly rare due to overgrazing and illegal logging for its wood.