Research reviewed October 12, 2026. This article combines our earlier Jericho travel memory with updated botanical and travel information.
What we remember from Jericho
The sycamore tree was one of the places that connected our Jericho visit with the stories people shared locally. Our original account describes time to explore the area and browse the vendors. Local Palestinians called the tree the Zacchaeus tree and told us it was a generational descendant of the tree in the biblical story.
We present that explanation as local oral history. It does not establish the living tree’s age or prove a biological connection to a tree from antiquity. The value of the memory is the connection between a place, its people and a story that continues to matter to them.
The sycamore fig and other trees called sycamore
The sycamore fig is Ficus sycomorus, a member of the Moraceae family. Kew’s Plants of the World Online records its native range as Africa to the Arabian Peninsula and lists Palestine among the places where it has been introduced.
The common name “sycamore” is also used for different trees. Their appearance, fruit and growing requirements should not be combined into a single description.
| Tree | Scientific name | Family |
|---|---|---|
| Sycamore fig | Ficus sycomorus | Moraceae |
| European sycamore maple | Acer pseudoplatanus | Sapindaceae |
| American sycamore | Platanus occidentalis | Platanaceae |
For identification, use a botanical reference for the actual species. This travel story does not recommend making tea, syrup or remedies from tree leaves or sap.
The Zacchaeus tradition
Luke 19:1–10 describes Zacchaeus climbing a sycamore to see Jesus as he passed through Jericho. The passage explains the religious connection that draws attention to sycamores in the town. It does not identify a particular tree standing today.
A local tradition and an archaeological or botanical finding answer different questions. We can appreciate the tradition while being clear about the evidence available for the living tree.
Jericho’s archaeological setting
Ancient Jericho/Tell es-Sultan, northwest of present-day Jericho in the Jordan Valley in Palestine, is a UNESCO World Heritage property. Its archaeological deposits and structures document early settlement and urban development.
The UNESCO listing concerns the archaeological property. It does not establish the age or identity of the tree in our travel account. Our map of Tel Jericho provides regional context, rather than an exact location for that tree.
Before planning a visit
Our original journey describes conditions at the time of that trip. Access, checkpoints, transport and opening arrangements can change. Check current official guidance before making plans.
At this review, the U.S. Department of State’s West Bank advisory, dated August 26, 2026, was Level 3: Reconsider Travel because of terrorism and unrest. It describes possible access restrictions and curfews. Travelers should also consult their own country’s guidance.
- Confirm current local access and operating arrangements before departure.
- Review the current advisory and any entry requirements relevant to your nationality.
- Keep an emergency plan and practical alternatives if access changes.
More from our original journey
Read our first-week Middle East travel account for the broader context of our time around Jerusalem, Jericho and the Sea of Galilee.
Our 2015 Jericho travel story records how we presented the tree and its local story at the time. Its new archival note distinguishes those older observations from current visiting information.
Earlier video from this article
The original page linked a clip titled Sycamore Tree in Ancient Jericho. This archived clip is retained as a separate reference for readers of the original story.
For our verified channel and latest videos, visit Exploretraveler on YouTube.
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