ARBOR WEEK 2024

National Arbor Week in South Africa is celebrated annually during the first week of September. It is a time when people of all ages are encouraged to celebrate the beauty and importance of trees, particularly our beautiful indigenous tree species.

With this in mind, two trees are usually highlighted each year as Tree of the Year – one common and one rare species. This list has now been adapted to draw attention to three indigenous trees, i.e.:

1. Common Tree of the year, which is a species or genus that is generally easier to grow and occurs more widely.
2. Tree for Promotion which is a tree species or genus that is perhaps less widely adapted yet is not uncommon and generally commercially available.
3. Tree for Appreciation which is a tree species or genus that is generally more restricted in its distribution or requires very specific growing conditions.

So, without further ado, let’s focus on the indigenous marvels that have been singled out for 2024.

Common Trees: Searsia lancea and Searsia leptodictya

1.  Searsia lancea

Common names: karee, rooi karee, umhlakotshane, mosilabele, monhlohlo

Interesting to know:  The San used supple branches to make their bows.

2.  Searsia leptodictya

Common names: mountain karee, berg karee, inHlagushane, mohlwehlwe

• Description: A deciduous tree with a spreading habit and dull green, lanceolate leaves. The rough bark is dark grey to black. The root system is non-invasive.
• Position: Full sun
• Size: Small (up to 9m)
• Hardiness: Frost resistant
• Watering needs: Water young trees moderately. Once established, the tree is drought-resistant.
• Growth rate: Medium
• Flowers: Small pale-yellow to cream male and female flowers are borne on seperate trees from December to April.
• Use: Prune low-growing branches during the first few years to turn it into a tree shape for gardens and streets.
• Environmental: Attracts birds like white-eyes and bulbuls.

Interesting to know:  Branches are used to line Black Eagles’ nests as they have a disinfectant property that helps to protect the nests from diseases.

Promotional Tree: Apodytes dimidiata

Common names: White pear, witpeer, sephopha-madi, umdakane

• Type: A bushy, evergreen tree with smooth, pale grey bark and dark green leaves.
• Position: Full sun
• Size: Medium (up to 20m high)
• Hardiness: Protect young trees from frost until established.  Thereafter it is fairly frost-resitant.
• Watering needs:  Moderate. 
• Growth rate: Slow at first, but fairly fast when bigger.
• Flowers: Flowers from September to April. Flowers are cream to white and are heavily scented in the morning. They are folllowed by interesting duo-coloured fruits from December to June.
• Use: The white pear is used as an excellent garden tree for shade throughout the year. Rootsystem is non-invasive and it is suitable for small gardens as well.
• Environmental: The flowers are pollinated by bees and the fruits attract birds.

Tree for Appreciation: Euphorbia sekukuniensis

Common names: Sekhukhune candelabra tree, Sekhukhune naboom (The tree is endemic to Sekhukhune land in Mpumalanga and Limpopo)

• Type: A small, spiny succulent tree, with a single stem and a candelabra-like crown of branches.
• Position: Full sun
• Size: Small (up to 7m high)
• Hardiness: Will withstand light frost.
• Watering needs: Water moderately in summer and keep dry in winter.
• Growth rate: Slow
• Flowers: A yellowish-green cuplike inflorescence appears in late winter.
• Use: It is a commonly used ornamental plant in hot climates and prefers rocky areas, like rock gardens
• Environmental: The flowers attract butterflies, bees and other insects.

Please note: The stems and branches contain a caustic milky latex, which is very poisonous and can cause blistering, allergic reactions or even blindness.

So, let’s get planting this Arbor Week! Even the smallest of gardens can be home to a tree. It will attract birds and other small wildlife to your garden. Trees act as a buffer from noisy roads, filter out dust and have a cooling effect on the garden and house as it deflects and absorbs radiant energy from the sun.

Trees are good for the soul. They are aesthetically pleasing and make us feel calm, serene and tranquil. We feel rooted, at home and a part of nature in the presence of a beautiful tree!