Expansion of 200kg Tree Stock

Over the last few months TreeCo have extensively increased our most popular tree size stock holding, namely our 200kg tree range, by over 2000 trees with the addition of new specimens such as Harpephyllum caffrum, Trichelia emetica, Rauvolfia caffra, Combretum erythrophyllum, Ilex mitis, Ficus rubignosa, Ficus natalensis, Podocarpus latifolius, Podocarpus falcatus and Celtis sinensis to name but a few. All our 200kg trees are ready to go, so we invite you to visit us, or view our latest Availability List for a full list of species available.

Please click on the button below to view images of our extension to the nursery.

 

 

For any specific queries, please contact Rudi on 082 829 5543 / Leske on
072 385 0270.

Historical Trees of South Africa - The Fingo Milkwood

Every year on the 14th May, Fingo Emancipation Day is celebrated with a ceremony beneath the Fingo Milkwood Tree in the Peddie district of the Eastern Cape.

This is the site where on the 14th May 1835, the Fingo people, in the presence of Rev John Ayliff, the missionary at Butterworth at that time, swore allegiance to the King as well as swearing to educate their children and accept Christianity. The swearing of this oath had far reaching consequences.

The term Fingo or Mfengu is a generic name for a distinct group of associated clans that settled in the Eastern Cape after fleeing from Zululand in the time of King Shaka. Many found work in Hintsa’s country but were constantly maligned with the result that they revolted and joined the British army in 1835.

In the Frontier wars that followed, the Mfengu fought as allies in the cause of Christian civilization, alongside the Colonial forces after which they were rewarded with large areas of Rharbabe land.

Regarding themselves as upholding a great Christian civilization, they viewed themselves as superior to the Xhosa. The Mfengo were the first tribe to be taught to plough and plant wheat by the missionaries as well as being the first to receive formal education.

Various educational institutions such as St Matthews, Lovedale and Healdtown were established as a result and due to their being well educated, the Fingo were able to secure many of the best positions open to Blacks at the time such as teachers, clerks and traders.

The Fingo Milkwood is the third milkwood tree, aside from the Post Office tree at Mossel bay and the Treaty Tree at Woodstock to be proclaimed a National Monument.

 

Download our latest Availability List for March!

TreeCo provides our readers with a downloadable, updated Availability 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 Availability List.

Spectacular Monthly Tree for March - Harpephyllum caffrum

Our selection for the Spectacular Monthly Tree is the popular Harpephyllum caffrum and the specimens we have available are truly spectacular! These lovely, medium to large, partly deciduous trees have a dense, spreading crown with glossy compound leaves that are characteristically grouped towards the tips of the branches. This well known member of the mango family has small insignificant flowers but the striking scarlet 20mm – 30mm long fruit, is edible although somewhat acid and is relished by birds. The Wild plum is highly adaptable and will endure droughts as well as the scorching effect of salt laden coastal winds. This is an excellent tree for the home garden, parks and streets.

Botanical Name	Harpephyllum caffrum
Common Name	Wild plum
Bag Size	200kg
Quantity Available	60
Average Tree Height & Trunk Thickness	4m  8cm

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.

Availability List for March 2012

TreeCo provides our readers with a downloadable, updated Availability 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 Availability List.

Apodytes dimidiata (White pear)

Apodytes dimidiate is a charming, bushy evergreen tree with a neat, well rounded crown, dark green leathery leaves and a striking profusion of sweetly scented trusses of white flowers from September to April. The distinctive black fruit with a scarlet, fleshy appendage appear from December to June. This lovely tree grows to a height of between 4 m to 6 m in cultivation but can reach a height of 20 m in a forest. The White pear is one of our most prevalent forest trees occurring in large numbers in coastal forests throughout the country. As the beautiful wood of the White pear was so sought after by the early settlers, huge numbers of these trees were felled and few really fine specimens remain in our forests today, subsequently, Apodytes dimidiate is now a protected species.

 

TREE DETAILS
Botanical Name	Apodytes dimidiata
Common Name	White pear
Genus	Icacinaceae
RSA National Tree No’	422
LANDSCAPING USES
The attractive White pear is an excellent tree for small gardens, patios and paved areas, in fact any area where year round shade is needed. The roots of this pleasing tree are completely non-invasive while the fruit is hard and not at all messy, making it suitable for creating shade alongside swimming pools or areas where other species may not be recommended. To form a lovely single stemmed tree prune off the lower branches while the tree is still young. Apodytes dimidiate makes a lovely background tree in small gardens and can also be pruned to form a thick hedge. The fruit of this versatile tree is attractive to birds such as bulbuls, barbets, pigeons, starlings and Guinea fowl. The White pear is very popular with Bonsai enthusiasts.
TREE SPECIFICATIONS
Height	4 – 6 m
Spread	3 - 4 m
Deciduous/Evergreen	Evergreen
Growth Habit	The White pear occurs in evergreen coastal bush, in open woodland as well as on grassy mountain slopes.
Bark	The bark of Apodytes dimidiate is pale grey and smooth
Foliage	The simple alternate, leathery, ovate-elliptic leaves are glossy dark green above while the undersides are a paler dull green with wavy margins. The petiole is often dark pink in colour.
Flowers	The profusion of sweetly scented white star-shaped flowers that appear from September to April,  are borne in loose terminal panicles.
Fruit	The distinctive black , 6mm diameter fruit is oval and somewhat flattened, resembling a kidney shape. The fruit has a scarlet, fleshy attachment that dries to grey or black.
Seed	The seed is a black nut.
GROWING REQUIREMENTS
Growing regions	Apodytes dimidiate is widespread throughout the country occurring from the Cape Peninsula all along the coast to the Garden Route and Kwa-Zulu Natal and up north as far as Ethiopia.
Growing conditions	The lovely White pear is very adaptable and will do well in sun or semi shade. Provide a thick mulch, water regularly and provide a high nitrogen organic fertilizer for best results.
Best season	All year.
Hardiness	Apodytes dimidiate will tolerate dry conditions but does better when given adequate water. Protect from frost in the first year, thereafter it will withstand some light frost.
Propagation	The best way to propagate White pear is by seed which should be treated with fungicide and sown in seed trays in late winter or early spring. Seed trays should be kept moist. Germination is generally slow and can take as long as 6 months.
Growth rate	Fast, up to 700 mm per year
INTERESTING FEATURES
The beautiful pale pink wood of the White pear was extensively used by the early settlers for wagons, furniture, floors, paneling and rifle stocks. This tree has long been used in traditional medicine. The Zulu people make an infusion from the bark which is used as an enema for internal parasites while the leaves are used for the treatment of ear infections.

 

            A. dimidiata Flowers & Leaves          A. dimidiata Seed                           A. dimidiata Bark