Celebrate Arbor Week - plant a tree
Every year, the importance of trees is highlighted during Arbor Week celebrations (September 1-7). The aim is to promote the rich heritage of South Africa’s indigenous trees and encourage people to plant suitable trees in their area. In 2010, three trees are being promoted:
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Acacia xanthophloea
Common names: Fever tree, koorsboom, mooka-kwena, umHlosinga, nkelenga, munzhelenga.
Description: The fever tree is a deciduous tree which grows to a height of around 15-25m. Birds’ nests always hang from the branches. It is notable for being one of the few trees where a relatively large amount of photosynthesis takes place in the bark of the tree. The characteristic bark is smooth, and a greenish-yellow colour.
Flowers: Golden-yellow sweetly scented flowers appear in fluffy balls. They are relished by monkeys. The flowers also attract insects and insectivorous birds such as barbets and warblers.
Flowering time: September to November.
Fruit: Small, pale brown, straight, thin and rather papery pod.
Origin: South-eastern Africa.
Uses: The bark is used as a good luck charm. The powdered root and bark are used to treat, malaria, fever and eye complaints. Root decoctions are taken for abdominal pain.
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Rothmannia capensis
Common names: Wild gardenia, wildekatjiepiering, aapsekos, iBolo, modulatshwene, mukubudu, umPhazane-mkhula.
Description: This is a small to medium-sized evergreen tree that always seems to have a bird or two in its branches. It bears crowns of glossy deep-green foliage. The trunk is slender and straight with horizontal branches which can grow up to 20m.
Flowers: It bears large creamy-white bell-shaped flowers that are speckled maroon at the throat. The flowers are very fragrant.
Flowering time: December to February.
Fruit: Rounded green fruits about 5-6cm in diameter and relished by baboons, vervet monkeys, grey duikers and bushpigs.
Origin: South Africa.
Uses: Powdered roots are rubbed into small cuts in the skin to treat rheumatism. The sap from the fruit is applied to burns and wounds to hasten healing.
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Cladostemon kirkii
Common names: Three-finger bush, butterfly tree, tongakierie, umThekwini, uMusi-iyamuka, uPhanda, isiDumbu
Description: Large shrub or small tree up to 6m high. Deciduous. Yellow-grey-brown bark. Easily grown from seed or cuttings. Suitable for frost-free regions only. Not commonly used in small gardens because of the smell of the fruits.
Flowers: Striking, sweetly scented white flowers with pink veins in spikes.
Flowering time: December to February.
Fruit: Fleshy, round fruit with rough skin and strong smell.
Origin: Widespread in tropical Africa.
Uses: Fallen fruit and roots eaten by bushpigs. Plant is used for ceremonial or medicinal purposes.
