Here is some interesting history.   Tobruk is located on the northeast coast of Libya.   It is the site of an ancient Greek colony and later was occupied by the Romans.

   There is a "famous" fig tree known as the Trobruk Fig Tree.  It got is name because this tree marked the entrance to the Fig Tree Hospital, an Australian base to treat the wounded.  The Fig Tree Hospital was an underground network of caves.    The tree still marks the spot (I wonder how old it is??).  One of the articles states that this tree is the only feature in an otherwise barren desert landscape. 
 
    A cutting of this tree was taken and planted at Melbourne's Shrine of Remembrance.   The plaque in Australia states the following:   Australian and Allied Forces who fought in the siege of Tobruk became known as "the Rats of Tobruk" when German Broadcasts likend them to rats coming out of their shelter.  This siege was the first defeat of German land forces in WWII.   The original Fig Tree was a significant landmark in Toburk for Australian Forces.     This tree has been grown from a cutting taken from the original tree in the battlefields of the siege of Tobruk, Middle East, April - December 1941.   The cutting was brought back to Australia by a member of the Rats of Tobruk.



http://www.temehu.com/tours/world_war_two.htm  Some photos and a short text

http://www.2-15battalionaif.net.au/index.php/campaigns/33-tobruk/45-fig-tree  Several photos on a revolving slide show including photos from WWII showing the hospital in use.

http://adlasadventures.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/tobruk-029.jpg   A nice photo of the tree and a short story.

There is a very good video documentary here

Here is what I see. The tree's roots have shelter underneath rocks, and the tree can withstand everything because it's roots are cool and damp and strong.

Suzi

Very interesting historical facts, and a beautiful tree on a barron landscape.  Thank you for posting.

Posting You tube version of the memorial fig tree as that above link was disabled.