The relevant authorities in Aqaba are preparing to trim and maintain the date palms, numbering around 30,000 trees spread across various areas in the city, especially in the commercial center and main streets. The goal is to preserve the trees' longevity and beauty, as well as their nutritional and historical significance, as they have been a symbol and legacy for centuries.
اضافة اعلان
The Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority has mobilized its agricultural team to start "tackling and trimming" more than 15,000 date palm trees throughout Aqaba’s areas, aiming to sustain the trees' growth and provide the city with the aesthetic appearance known to locals for many generations. Additionally, over 13,000 date palms are spread across areas outside the city.
"Tackling" refers to pruning and removing dry fronds, while "trimming" means cleaning the date palm tree of excess growth. The palms are climbed in different areas of the city, especially in the central islands, by specialists who have been caring for these trees for years, ensuring they stand tall, touching the sea and mountains with their green fronds.
Pruning Twice a Year
Date palms are typically pruned twice a year by specialists who climb the trees, performing "tackling and trimming" and gathering the pruned parts for later use.
Engineer Alaa Al-Rawashdeh, the director of the City Services Center at the Aqaba Economic Zone Authority, stated that the authority is keen on expanding agricultural areas, particularly date palms, in Aqaba due to their significant environmental and aesthetic impact, as well as their role in moderating the climate. He added that date palms are key in beautifying the city, and the agricultural department of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority has planted date palms in various locations to enhance the city’s appearance.
Al-Rawashdeh continued by saying that the planting initiatives include areas like the Ninth Street and the central islands opposite the InterContinental Hotel, alongside the planting of flowers and shrubs suitable for Aqaba's climate. He also highlighted that the palm trees are maintained through the authority’s teams.
This biannual campaign aims to remove dry and yellowed fronds, especially those affected by scale insects, as well as remove thorns from the fronds. This makes it easier for palm harvesters to reach the date clusters during pollination or fruit collection. It also prevents damage to the fruit when it comes into contact with the thorns and allows sunlight to reach the clusters, improving fruit quality and speeding up ripening. Additionally, it helps reduce disease and allows for the use of pruning byproducts like fronds and fibers in some rural industries.
Al-Rawashdeh mentioned that "tackling and trimming" varies depending on the region and occurs once in the fall, right after the harvest, and once in early spring during pollination.
Date Palms Beautify Streets and Homes
Date palms are one of the most important crops that the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority, citizens, and tourism and investment projects are keen on planting around their homes for decoration and for the benefit of their dates during harvest season. They adorn many areas of Aqaba, especially the central islands and residents’ homes.
The date palm in Aqaba is considered one of the most protected and environmentally beneficial trees, in addition to its significant role in beautifying certain areas. Al-Rawashdeh added that the authority, through the city commission, continues to carry out daily campaigns to prune trees and shrubs along both main and secondary streets and central islands in all of the city’s tourist areas. These efforts aim to trim trees that touch power lines, obstruct traffic or pedestrian movement on sidewalks, or block the view of traffic signals.
Al-Rawashdeh emphasized that the authority has prepared a plan in coordination with all relevant parties to prune trees in a way that helps remove any potential winter hazards and eliminate dry, yellowed fronds to give the trees the aesthetic identity of Aqaba.
Cultural Heritage of Aqaba
The date palm has held a significant place in Aqaba’s heritage for centuries. The ancient name for Aqaba, "Aylat," means "the sacred date palm tree," underscoring that the area was once full of date palms and other trees, becoming famous for them.
Excavations at Tel Khleifi in Aqaba indicate that date palms were widely used over 5,000 years ago, with findings of date palm fibers, fronds, remnants of colored baskets, and ropes made from palm fabric, suggesting their use in boat construction.
In modern times, especially since the 19th century, Aqaba’s heritage has been rich with references to date palms, which have been cherished by its people. They symbolize more than just a tree; they are a source of food, shelter, shade, and joy. They have been an integral part of the city’s culture, inspiring poetry, stories, and traditions that reflect the life and identity of Aqaba’s residents.
