The Ronier (in French) tree is something special. For natural laundry baskets, we use its fibers instead of recycled plastic threads to tighten seagrass. Softer leaf parts are woven into bins and rectangular baskets. We soak these fibers in water before weaving them into light shades or baskets.

I love this tree—I have one in my garden. Its best years are between 5 and 15 years old. As it grows, the trunk is hidden beneath layers of stems and leaves that resemble fish scales. At first, these emerging parts are deep black—stunning. By 15 years, it stands 5 to 8 meters tall, still wrapped in those scales. Eventually, they fall away, revealing a long, slender trunk, while the leafy stems remain up top.

Slow-growing but resilient, the Ronier finds water deep in the soil without help. In Senegal, people use its leaves and stems for crafts, while its trunks serve as pillars in traditional homes. A tree with beauty, purpose, and endurance.