Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Searsia pendulina (formerly Rhus pendulina)

In 2008 most of the species grown in southern Africa under the genus Rhus were reclassified into the genus Searsia. A comprehensive article containing in-depth botanical and taxonomical detail can be read by clicking on the following link:-

http://www.bioone.org/doi/full/10.1600/036364408784571545


BASIC TREE DETAILS

Botanical Name: Searsia pendulina
Common Name: White karee
Genus: Anacardiaceae
RSA National Tree No’: 396

LANDSCAPING USES

This willow-like small-medium size tree is ideal for small gardens as it grows quickly, has a non-invasive root system, is tidy and easy to maintain. As a mass planting around dams and waterways (where the tree occurs naturally), the S.pendulina creates a wonderful show of lush greenery, it also forms a highly effective windbreak when planted in rows along the boundaries of larger properties.

TREE SPECIFICATIONS

Height: 5-10m in height
Spread: 2-5m wide
Deciduous/Evergreen: Evergreen
Growth Habit: Occurs naturally on banks alongside rivers and streams.
Bark: The bark is pale gray and smooth with spines often present. As the bark ages it begins to flake.
Foliage: The leaves are lanceolate in shape and trifoliate with the terminal leaflet 2.5 – 9.5 x 0.6 – 1.5cm in size. Lateral leaflets are slightly smaller than the terminal leaflet.
Flowers: The flowers are insignificant greenish/yellow in delicately branched panicles which appear in spring-summer and attract an array of birds and insects.
Fruit: Round berries appear after the flowers in December-May. Starting out as a fresh green, the berries turn to red when ripe, after which they dry to black. Fruit ripens in Autumn.
Seed: Once the berries have dried (autumn), the small seeds held within become ready for germination.

GROWING REQUIREMENTS

Growing regions: The White karee can be found naturally in karroid, semi-desert areas from Namibian, Free State and Orange River regions to the Northern Cape although it is used as a popular ornamental tree throughout South Africa.
Growing conditions: S.pendulina prefers a sunny position and rich soil with plenty of water to ensure optimal growth.
Best season: Spring - Autumn
Hardiness: Wind and drought resistant. The S.pendulina is also capable of surviving cold conditions with moderate frost.
Propagation: The White karee can be easily propagated from seed or cuttings.
Growth rate: Fast

INTERESTING FEATURES

The wood of the White karee is durable and well suited for use as fencing posts. The pliable, slender stems of the S.pendulina are often used to build fish traps, baskets and whips. The Khoisan people have been known to brew a kind of beer/mead from the fruit of the White karee and indeed the word Karee is said to be derived from the Khoisan word used to describe beer. A sticky sweet that tastes similar to dates can be made by mixing the berries of the White karee with Acacia karoo gum. Medicinally, an infusion of the leaves in milk is given, as an enema, to children suffering from stomach upsets.

March 2009 - Visit our new and improved website!

TreeCo has refurbished our website to bring you fantastic new features such as a direct link to our news-page (or blog), newsletter subscription link, new photo’s in our gallery, a downloadable Map and Directions to our Nursery, as well as updated, downloadable Portfolio of Services.

Visit
www.treeco.co.za

March 2009 - TreeCo launches our brand new blog!

Making it convenient for you to gain anytime access to our company and in-depth tree information was the motivation behind the development of our new blog which has been linked to our new and improved website.

You can now rest assured that even if you have mislaid or missed a copy of our monthly newsletter, you can still access all the information you need by reviewing the Archived Articles database accessible on the right hand column of the blog. For new clients, the blog is your database to in-depth tree information and industry events and trends, as well as our internal company news.

As our client, we welcome you to make suggestions or add to the information already available on the blog by posting your comments.

March 2009 - TreeCo wins second prize at the Cape Green Trade Day!

Firstly, Rudi and Leske would like to thank all of our new and existing clients who attended the Cape Green Trade Day (held on the 18th of February) for stopping by and visiting us at our stand.

This year Leske applied her creativity and feminine touch to the layout of our stand and the result was truly incredible! She created a paved walkway through a virtual avenue of trees which resulted in the perfect setting for us to showcase the true beauty, impressive size and incredible quality of our trees.

Rudi and Leske were most pleasantly surprised when we were announced as the second place winner for ‘Best Plant Stand’ and were called up to collect our prize. We feel that this prize belongs unquestionably to Leske to whom we would like to say ‘Well done and thank you – you certainly did an amazing job’!

To those of you who left your contact details and email addresses with us, you will be receiving our newsletter for the first time. We would like to welcome you and hope that you find our monthly contribution to you as valuable as we intend it to be! Should you have any comments, queries or suggestions please feel free to email us at
newsletter@treeco.co.za.