Baobab is the most common name for this strange looking tree. And no, it is not dead as I first thought. Other common names include bottle tree, the tree of life, upside-down tree, and monkey bread tree. The species reach heights 16 to 98 ft and trunk diameters of 23 to 36 ft. That’s diameter, not circumference.  Its trunk can hold up to 31,700 gallons of water. For most of the year, the tree is leafless, and looks very much like it has its roots sticking up in the air.
The trees are long-lived, but just how long is disputed. The owners of Sunland Farm in Limpopo, South Africa have built a pub called "The Big Baobab Pub" inside the hollow trunk of the 72 ft high tree. The tree is 155 ft in circumference, and is said to have been carbon dated at over 6,000 years old.
The Baobab Tree is known as the tree of life, with good reason. It can provide shelter, clothing, food, and water for the animal and human inhabitants of the African savannah regions. The cork-like bark and huge stem are fire resistant and are used for making cloth and rope. The leaves are used as condiments and medicines. The fruit, called "monkey bread", is edible, and full of Vitamin C.
The fruit has a velvety shell and is about the size of a coconut, weighing about 3.2 lb. It has a somewhat acidic flavor, described as 'somewhere between grapefruit, pear, and vanilla.  Unfortunately, I did not get to taste it.
The tree can store thousands of gallons of water, which is an adaptation to the harsh drought conditions of its environment. The tree may be tapped in dry periods. Mature trees are usually hollow, providing living space for many animals and humans