How to Plant Trees!

Trees are a valuable asset in any environment, so, in order to derive the most benefit from this investment, it is extremely important to follow the correct planting procedure, thereby providing optimum growing conditions and ensuring good strong growth.

Once you have selected the site where the tree is to be planted, dig a hole that is the same depth as the root ball and approximately three times as wide. Fill the hole with water. While the water soaks away, mix the soil that will be returned to the hole with a generous amount of well rotted compost or manure, about ¾ soil to ¼ compost, as well as the correct amount of pelletised organic fertiliser for the size of the tree.  Place the tree in the centre of the hole and carefully remove the bag or container taking care not to damage the roots. Fill the hole halfway with the soil, compost and fertiliser mixture and firm down. Water well as this helps to eliminate air pockets from around the roots. Once the water has soaked away, add the remaining soil mixture to the hole. The ground level of the soil in the hole should be the same as the ground level was, when the tree was in it’s bag or container. Firm down the soil and soak well with water. Create a basin around the tree that is the same width as DISCOUNT CODE TSMD0020 the drip line, as this facilitates watering. Scatter about two handfuls of bone meal on the surface and cover with approximately 5cm of mulch keeping the mulch clear of the trunk. Keep tree well watered until established.

By following these simple planting guidelines you will ensure a 100% success rate and many years of pleasure from your contribution to the greening of our beautiful planet.

Testimonial of the Month - Cape Contours

Last year, Bevil Steyn, Director of Cape Contours asked TreeCo to supply a selection of trees for a private client at Pearl Valley.  The trees we supplied were 1x Schotia brachypetala, 2x Erythrina caffra, 2x Harpephyllum caffrum, 5x Brachychiton acerifolia and 12x Sideroxylon inerme.  

Bevil was very complimentary and only had praise for the way in which Rudi and Leske handled the project as well as the quality of the trees.

He had this to say:

On the day the planting was to commence, Rudi was there exactly on time and assisted with the positioning of each tree.

The quality of the trees is really excellent due to the fact that they are quite widely spaced at the nursery, allowing them to develop good structural strength and therefore making the use of stakes in the actual landscape, unnecessary. TreeCo’s trees are definitely the best priced in the industry taking into account the size and stability of the trees.


The trees at Pearl Valley were planted two months ago and are all looking really healthy, having adapted easily to their new environment. Our client called Rudi out when he felt there was a problem with one of the trees. Rudi arrived on site shortly after the call and diagnosed that the irrigation coupled with the clay soil type at Pearl Valley had resulted in the tree having too much water. The problem has been rectified and the tree is now flourishing. 

There is no doubt that TreeCo will remain our first choice when ordering trees for our landscapes.

Please see the stunning before and after photo's below... 


Always Available to Assist 


Please remember that as always, Rudi is eager to assist clients with any problems and will gladly come out on site to diagnose and remedy any difficulties that they may have regarding the health of their trees. 


Our Bumper Discount Offer Still On – Order Today! 


Remember that we are still offering a 10% discount to all clients who visit us at the nursery during February, so pop in and we will be pleased to advise you on the most suitable trees for your landscaping project while you enjoy a cup of our famous coffee. 


Before Cape Contours stepped in...

After Cape Contours completed landscaping (using our trees!)...

 

TreeCo Big Tree Gallery - July 2010

Spectacular Monthly Tree - Sideroxylon inerme

Although we have many tree species at our nursery that are looking spectacular at any given time, we feature just one tree in particular every month that we know will offer you the best value for money and that will add that special touch to your landscape project. 

Sideroxylon inerme is the only species of this genus that occurs in South Africa where it enjoys protected status. This beautiful shade tree can reach a great age, the most famous one being the magnificent “post office tree” in Mossel Bay which is estimated to be over 600 years old and has been proclaimed a national monument. The White milkwood has a dense, widely spreading crown with beautiful glossy, dark green leaves which are lighter green underneath. The gnarled and twisted stem makes this superb tree an absolute winner as an interesting garden subject. The small, insignificant flowers are greenish-white while the fruit is single seeded, purplish black and berry-like and much favoured by birds. The wood makes an excellent general purpose timber as it is strong and durable while the bark and roots are used medicinally.

Botanical Name	Sideroxylon inerme
Common Name	White milkwood
Bag Size	50 lt
Quantity Available	150
Average Tree Height & Trunk Thickness	2.2 - 2.5m  2.5 - 3cm

Should you require any further information, such as pricing details or should you wish to place an order, please contact Rudi on 082 829 5543 or Leske on 072 385 0270. Alternatively you are welcome to email us with your enquiry at info@treeco.co.za.
 

Looking Good List for July 2010


TreeCo provides our readers with a downloadable, updated Looking Good List every month.

Please note that should you not find the tree that you are looking for on this list, TreeCo will readily source what you require, on your behalf. Rudi and Leske Neethling personally ensure that all trees supplied by TreeCo, conform to our high quality standards.

Please CLICK HERE to download our latest Looking Good List.
 

This document is available as a PDF document and will require Adobe Acrobat Reader to view. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader loaded on your computer, please click on the link below which will allow you to download this free program quickly and easily.
 

DOWNLOAD ADOBE ACROBAT READER

Ilex mitis (Cape Holly)

The lovely Ilex mitis is a medium sized tree with a straight trunk and an attractive rounded canopy and is the only holly species found naturally in Africa. The glossy green leaves, abundant, sweetly scented white flowers and the profusion of spectacular crimson berries make the Cape holly, truly a tree for all seasons. As these trees are either male or female, it is advisable to plant a few in a grove, ensuring the formation of flowers and berries. The sweetly scented flowers are attractive to insects and when the tiny petals begin to fall, the ground beneath the tree becomes covered in a delicate white carpet. The highly decorative, shiny red berries are irresistible to many fruit eating birds while a branch of glossy leaves and berries picked from the tree, adds interest and texture to flower arrangements.

BASIC TREE DETAILS Botanical Name Ilex mitis Common Name Cape holly Genus Aquifoliaceae RSA National Tree No’ 397 LANDSCAPING USES Since the versatile Cape Holly seldom grows taller than 8m in cultivation and has a non-invasive root system, it is suitable for even the smallest of gardens. With the upright growth habit and pale bark, Ilex mitis is an excellent indigenous substitute for the silver birch in a woodland garden setting. This charming tree is a perfect subject for formal gardens as the dense bushy foliage can be clipped into any desired shape or size. Cape holly, aside from being a beautiful fast growing shade tree, can be used most successfully as an effective windbreak or hedging plant. TREE SPECIFICATIONS Height 8m-25m Spread 4m-7m Deciduous/Evergreen Evergreen Growth Habit Ilex mitis is usually found in forest and bushveld, growing near rivers and streams. Bark The bark on young trees is smooth and pale grey with white patches and transverse ridges, while on older trees the bark becomes evenly whitish-grey with rough, dark spots. Foliage The 70-100mm x 19-25mm, simple, dark green leaves of the Cape holly are alternate, elliptic-lanceolate, and are carried on plum coloured stalks. The pointed tips of the leaves are sometimes curled and the margins may occasionally be slightly toothed. The midrib is sharply channeled above and prominent below.  Flowers The small, white, sweetly scented flowers are carried in profusion in the leaf axils in spring or early summer. The male and female flowers are borne on separate trees. Fruit The 6mm, shiny, berry-like fruit is densely packed along the stems, ripening to a deep crimson on female trees in autumn. Seed The small dark seeds emerge as the fruit decays. GROWING REQUIREMENTS Growing regions Ilex mitis is widespread throughout all the provinces of South Africa as well as Lesotho and Swaziland. Growing conditions The Cape holly is happiest in a protected, semi- shaded or sunny position with the addition of plenty of compost, a good mulch and regular deep watering. Best season  All year Hardiness This charming tree is one of the few indigenous trees that is frost hardy and while it prefers moist conditions for optimum growth, the Cape holly can withstand extended periods of drought. Propagation Propagation is easiest from seed which germinates readily, 8-20 days, when planted in a moist sand and compost mixture. Growth rate  Fast, about 0,8m per annum. INTERESTING FEATURES The leaves of Ilex mitis, when wet and rubbed between the hands, forms a lather that was traditionally used by the Knysna woodcutters, amongst others, to wash in the forest rivers and streams. The light coloured, dense wood was used for the buckboards on wagons and occasionally for wheel spokes, as well as the heels of ladies shoes. Nowadays the wood is still used for implement handles, furniture and fuel.

         I.mitis Flowers & Foliage        I.mitis Bark                     I.mitis Berries