Fig tree at caves penned down in Guinness Book of Records

OHRIGSTAD – Did you know the wild fig tree situated at the Echo caves is penned down in the Guinness Book of Records for having the biggest root depth?

This tree has roots reaching 400 feet making it the deepest a tree’s roots have penetrated.

In June 2010 a documentary was filmed about this by a British company called Wall2Wall. It was made for Discovery Channel and was called Extraordinary features in nature.

“The Echo Caves were discovered in 1923 by the owner of the farm called Klipfonteinhoek. While searching for a source of water he discovered the caves and also realised some of his cattle had already disappeared into the caves. Upon exploring the caves it was clear that he had stumble onto one of the most beautiful gems of nature,” said Carla le Roux who is part of the family who owns this land.

Later, after the Abel Erasmus Pass and the Strijdom Tunnel had been completed in 1959, the Echo Caves was declared a national monument.

“The caves contain a wide variety of stalactites and stalagmites. Stalactites are a type of secondary mineral that hangs from the ceiling or wall of limestone caves. Stalagmite is a type of cave formation that rises from the floor of a limestone cave due to the dripping of mineralised solutions and the deposition of calcium carbonate,” said Le Roux.

These formations can be viewed from walkways with electric lights, railings and staircases that have been installed in the cave for safety and convenience.

“The limestone and drip-stone structures inside the natural caverns make interesting imaginary figures which can be seen in chambers throughout the cave as it winds through the mountain. The most recent discoveries include the Madonna and Crystal Palace chambers,” said Le Roux.