Thursday, December 9, 2010
TreeCo Big Tree Gallery - December 2010
Has YOUR landscape been TREECO'ed?
TreeCo has developed an extemely loyal group of clients who have come to rely on us for the quality and unique character of our trees. Whether you plant one of our 50lt or 1000lt trees, you can be assured that we have taken every measure to ensure that the specimen you invest in, has the best possible chance of survival within your landscape. Our quality translates directly to your image as a professional landscaper, which is a responsibility we take very seriously.
Beyond the quality of our trees lies the all important environmental aspect relating to how our trees are produced and cared for. We do not use harmful pesticides or chemical fertilisers and our trees are encouraged to grow at a natural rate and to a natural shape, so not only are our trees are genuinely stronger and healthier, you know that you are supporting an organisation that is continually taking active steps to reduce our carbon footprint.
When we ask 'Has YOUR landscape been TREECO'ed'?, what we really mean to ask is 'Have you used the best quality trees, produced by an environmentally responsible company to green your world'?
Drive in for your December Discount!
As yet another year draws to a close we would like to thank all of you for your valuable support. As a token of our appreciation, our gift to you is an exciting mystery discount for all those who visit us at the nursery to make a selection from our extensive range of superb quality trees before we close for the holidays.
Spectacular Monthly Tree - Podocarpus latifolius (Real Yellowwood)
Podocarpus latifolius or the Real yellowwood is South Africa’s national tree. This beautiful medium to large tree is the most widespread of the yellowwoods and is an excellent choice for home gardens, parks and street planting. This lovely tree has long, narrow, glossy green leaves that are longer on young trees than on mature trees. The bark is grey and longitudinally fissured. The sexes are separate with the male tree bearing catkin-like cones while the female tree bears purplish fruit that are carried on thickened, fleshy stalks known as receptacles. The wood from the Real yellowwood is a beautiful golden yellow and was widely used for floorboards in old Cape homesteads as well as for fine furniture. Unfortunately, these magnificent trees were relentlessly cut down until they nearly became extinct. Today, Podocarpus latifolius is a protected species.
| Botanical Name | Podocarpus latifolius |
| Common Name | Real Yellowwood |
| Bag Size | 100 lt |
| Quantity Available | 100 |
| Average Tree Height & Trunk Thickness | 2.5m 5-7cm |
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 December 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.
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.
Podocarpus henkelli (Henkels yellowwood)
There can be no lovelier choice for a Christmas tree than our own elegant Podocarpus henkelii. The distinctive pyramid shape and the beautiful dense, glossy green leaves makes this one of our most decorative conifers. Although it grows extremely high and wide in nature, it is considerably lower and narrower in cultivation. Henkel’s yellowwood, a protected species, is named after Dr. J. S. Henkel who worked in forestry conservation in South Africa and determined that this species is separate from Podocarpus latifolius. This is the nesting tree of choice for the Cape parrot and the seeds are a popular source of food for these attractive birds as well as a variety of other birds.
P. henkelli Leaves P. henkelii Cones P. henkelii Fruit
| BASIC TREE DETAILS | |
| Botanical Name | Podocarpus henkelii |
| Common Name | Henkel’s yellowwood |
| Genus | Podocarpaceae |
| RSA National Tree No’ | 17 |
| LANDSCAPING USES | |
The evergreen Podocarpus henkelii is undoubtedly one of our loveliest indigenous specimen trees and is the preferred yellowwood for the garden. Where space is limited near entries and in courtyards, it performs admirably. By planting a single specimen near a door or several along a wall, the striking shape of this handsome tree can be fully appreciated. These versatile trees do extremely well in large containers and can even be seen along the pavements of Hong Kong planted in this way. Henkel’s yellowwood looks lovely when planted as an informal screen or hedge or as a more formal avenue along a drive or walkway. | |
| TREE SPECIFICATIONS | |
| Height | 10m |
| Spread | 4m |
| Deciduous/Evergreen | Evergreen |
| Growth Habit | Podocarpus henkelii is usually found in moist afromontane forest in the sub tropics as well as low lying areas in temperate regions of the southern hemisphere. |
| Bark | The bark is dark grey to pale brownish grey and is longitudinally fissured. Some older trees may be found with the bark peeling off in large pieces, exposing the red brown under surface. |
| Foliage | The lovely long, slender, drooping and glossy dark green leaves are held horizontally. They are approximately 60mm x 10mm with lamina tapering from about the middle of the apex. |
| Flowers | Henkel’s yellowwood is a gymnosperm and does not produce flowers. |
| Fruit | Male and female trees are separate. Male cones are 2-3cm long and are either borne separately or in clusters of up to 5. The female cones are not well developed, they are solitary and are borne on short stalks. |
| Seed | The seeds are round, approximately 25mm in diameter and are olive green. |
| GROWING REQUIREMENTS | |
| Growing regions | The beautiful Podocarpus henkelii grows naturally from the Eastern Cape right through to KwaZulu- Natal as well as into the northern KwaZulu- Natal Drakensberg. |
| Growing conditions | This lovely tree prefers moist conditions and does extremely well when planted in full sun in deep sandy soil, which is kept well mulched and watered. |
| Best season | All year |
| Hardiness | Henkel’s yellowwood is moderately drought resistant and frost hardy. |
| Propagation | Podocarpus henkelii is propagated by seed but this can be quite tricky. Place seeds in moist sand and keep constantly warm and moist. Germination takes about 2 months. |
| Growth rate | Average to slow depending on growing conditions. |
| INTERESTING FEATURES | |
| The elegant Podocarpus henkelii has the most beautiful timber of excellent colour and quality which has long been used for fine furniture and smaller wooden household items. The timber is not as widely used as that of the other yellowwood species however, as there is only a limited supply available. | |
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