TreeCo: 2014

Monday, May 19, 2014

Croton sylvaticus (Forest fever berry)

Croton sylvaticus is a member of a large tropical genus represented by several tree species in Southern Africa. This extremely attractive tree has a wide, spreading, dense, dark green, leafy crown and the long, straight trunk of this fast growing species can reach as much as 1 meter in diameter. Although the showy, salmon coloured fruits are toxic, various species of birds such as the Red eyed Turtle Dove, the Green Pigeon, Cinnamon Doves, Weavers and Hornbills find the fruit irresistible. The Forest fever tree is host to the well known Green veined Charaxes butterfly and numerous insects are attracted to the flowers..

TREE DETAILS
Botanical Name	Croton sylvaticus
Common Name	Forest fever berry
Genus	Euphorbiaceae
RSA National Tree No’	330
LANDSCAPING USES
The highly decorative Forest fever tree is a superb shade tree for a wide variety of landscaping applications. In October, November and December these trees look absolutely lovely when the abundance of delicate flower sprays appear, but, when the masses of showy, salmon coloured fruit appear, these trees are a truly magnificent sight. Use the Croton sylvaticus for any area where a fast growing and attractive shade tree is needed. This is a lovely choice for shading a patio, creating a shady spot to relax in the garden, or any other recreational area and gives the added benefit of attracting a host of small wildlife as well. Whether The Forest fever tree is planted as a single specimen where its beauty can be appreciated through all the seasons or whether it is planted as a hedge or screen for privacy, this tree deserves to be more widely grown.
TREE SPECIFICATIONS
Height	7 – 13m
Spread	3 – 5m
Deciduous/Evergreen	Deciduous
Growth Habit	The forest fever berry is found growing naturally in riverine and coastal forest and inland scrub as well as in moist woodland areas.
Bark	The bark of Croton sylvaticus is pale grey and smooth becoming somewhat darker and rougher as the tree matures.
Foliage	The thin, dark green leaves are long stalked with two small knob like glands at the tip of the petiole. The leaf blade is ovate to ovate lanceolate, tapering towards the apex, distinctly 5-veined from the base with 4 – 5 lateral veins per side and margins with small irregular teeth.
Flowers	The creamy, to pale yellow flowers are borne in long terminal racemes in spring. Both male and female flowers are produced on the same flower spike.
Fruit	The soft, rough, hairy fruit capsule is about 13 mm wide, consists of three roundish lobes and is a lovely salmon orange in colour.
Seed	There are usually three oval, brown seeds per fruit capsule.
GROWING REQUIREMENTS
Growing regions	Croton sylvaticus Is mainly found in the warmer regions of the country from Port St Johns along the coast to Kwa Zulu Natal, and up towards Mpumalanga and Limpopo.
Growing conditions	The Forest fever berry performs best in a sunny or semi shaded position with moderate quantities of water. Apply a generous layer of mulch or compost to keep the roots cool and moist.
Best season	Spring - Summer
Hardiness	Although Croton sylvaticus prefers warm, moist conditions, these trees will withstand drier conditions but should be given some protection from frost.
Propagation	Propagate from seed that has been sown in a good seedling mix and keep seed trays moist but not too wet. Transplant into bags when the second set of ‘real’ leaves appear.
Growth rate	Fast
INTERESTING FEATURES
Renowned for its many medicinal applications, many parts of the Forest fever tree have long been used in traditional medicine. The leaves are used as a poultice to treat pleurisy while the bark is used to treat ailments such as rheumatism, bleeding gums and intestinal disorders. The soft, pale timber is used for carving decorative household items.

Spectacular Monthly Tree - May 2014

The popular Water berry is an attractive and useful medium to large evergreen tree with a lovely full, rounded crown. Often the stem takes on a crooked shape creating an interesting, decorative feature in the landscape. The fragrant white to pinkish, terminal heads of fluffy flowers are rich in nectar and attract numerous insects and butterflies, while the showy, ruby red to purple, edible fruit are relished by a host of fruit eating birds.

Although these beautiful trees thrive in moist conditions, they are quite hardy and will do well anywhere provided they are given a generous mulch of compost as well as an average quantity of water.

May is an excellent time to plant trees as they will establish themselves during the rainy season in preparation for active growth during the summer.

We have beautiful specimens of these rewarding trees available so be sure to order yours now!

Botanical Name	Syzygium cordatum
Common Name	Water berry
Size Available	50 lt
Quantity in Stock	100
Average Tree Height	2.0 m
Average Trunk Thickness	3.5 cm

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 May 2014

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.

Interesting Tree Projects from Around the World - The Canopy Project

The unique and exceptionally important Canopy Project was developed by the Earth Day Network as part of their initiative to protect and preserve the environment as well as numerous natural areas for the benefit of all communities.

Rather than focusing on the extensive re-establishment of compromised forest areas, their aim is to uplift disadvantaged communities by assisting them to establish food security and developing a sustainable economy by reversing the effect of land degradation through planting trees that provide food and energy resources as well as income for the whole community.

With the increase of devastating storms and floods which often lead to massive, destructive, landslides, stabilising ground through re-introducing or increasing tree coverage over large areas is vital.

For this reason, in 2012, the Earth Day Network along with the Global Poverty Project made a commitment to planting 10 million trees over a period of five years as part of their upliftment project in disadvantaged communities worldwide.

To date, the Canopy Project has planted over 1.5 million trees in disadvantaged communities in 18 countries.

In Haiti, where earthquakes caused massive landslides some years ago, a phenomenal 500,000 trees have already been planted while in three high poverty areas of Uganda, to provide local communities with soil stability, fuel, fencing and most importantly - food, 350,000 trees have been planted.

This fantastic project is making a huge difference to countless impoverished communities all over the world including countries such as the United States, Belgium, Mexico, Brazil, Australia, France, Canada, Spain and Japan to mention just a few.

This valuable project is supported by sponsors as well as individual donations and is part of a worldwide network of non-profit tree planting organizations.

The Canopy Project works in association with the United Nations Environment Programme’s ‘Billion Trees Campaign’ where every tree that is planted counts towards ‘A Billion Acts of Green’.

How are we able to help in our own communities? South Africa has numerous reforestation projects on the go, including Greenpop which we wrote about in our newsletter a few months ago. Read about it HERE. By donating to initiatives such as The Canopy Project or Greenpop, you will be making a significant contribution to helping our fragile environment become stronger and better equipped to support people.

Share your stories with us! Let us know what you have been doing in your own communities!

Olea capensis (Black ironwood)

Although the splendid Olea capensis subs. macrocarpa may grow slowly, if planted in the right place, the shade of these breathtakingly handsome trees will be enjoyed for many generations to come as these trees can reach a great age. Second only in size, to the massive yellowwoods of the forests along the Southern Cape coastline, but not having suffered the extensive exploitation of the yellowwoods, these awe inspiring trees can reach an age of between 2000 and 3000 years. In the forest they can grow as tall as 35 – 40m but will rarely achieve that height in cultivation where a maximum of about 10m can be expected. The attractive panicles of sweetly scented flowers attract a variety of insects while the fruit is relished by birds as well as other wildlife.

TREE DETAILS
Botanical Name	Olea capensis subs. macrocarpa
Common Name	Black ironwood
Genus	Oleaceae
RSA National Tree No’	618
LANDSCAPING USES
The Black ironwood is a most rewarding and beautiful shade tree but one should carefully consider the positioning of these trees before planting as they are slow to reach maturity and become a permanent fixture in the landscape. These must surely be amongst the finest of ornamental trees to plant as a legacy for future generations so it is important to ensure that wherever these trees are planted, there is enough space to enable them to grow unhindered, so that their full glory can be appreciated for many years to come. As specimen trees, Olea capensis subs. macrocarpa are unsurpassed or if you wish to create a truly imposing avenue, these trees will provide a permanent, evergreen thoroughfare for all to admire. The bonsai enthusiast will find the Black ironwood well worth the effort and challenge.
TREE SPECIFICATIONS
Height	6 - 10m
Spread	4 - 8 m
Deciduous/Evergreen	Evergreen
Growth Habit	The Black ironwood occurs in a wide variety of habitats but is most commonly found in moist to semi-moist high forest although in some regions they do grow in drier areas and bushveld.
Bark	On younger trees the bark is pale grey but becomes darker and vertically fissured as the tree ages. If the bark is damaged the wound exudes a distinctive dark gum.
Foliage	The glossy, medium to dark green, opposite leaves are paler green underneath and are narrowly elliptic, tapering at the base of the apex. The petiole is sometimes purple.
Flowers	The small, white or cream sweetly scented flowers are borne in abundant terminal heads from November to January. The flowers are bisexual.
Fruit	The fruit which is a fairly large, fleshy, oval drupe ripens to purplish black and looks similar to large Greek olives.
Seed	The seed consists of a brownish, oval pip inside the fruit.
GROWING REQUIREMENTS
Growing regions	The Black ironwood is widespread and grows in coastal forests from the Western Cape through to the Eastern Cape, up into Kwa-Zulu Natal and further north to Limpopo.
Growing conditions	Olea capensis subs. macrocarpa will grow successfully in shade or sun. As these trees grow rather slowly it helps to provide absolutely optimal conditions for the first few years by preparing a large hole before planting and enriching the soil with plenty of compost and high nitrogen organic fertilizer. Apply a thick layer of mulch around the tree and keep well watered.
Best season	Spring - Summer
Hardiness	Black ironwood is hardy once established and will withstand some frost as well as dry conditions.
Propagation	Propagation from seed is quite a lengthy process as the seeds can take up to six months to germinate and the saplings grow quite slowly. Soft wood cuttings taken in spring usually provide a more successful and quicker method of propagation.
Growth rate	Slow
INTERESTING FEATURES
The name ironwood speaks for itself as the timber from these magnificent trees is extremely hard and heavy. The timber is grey-brown to brown with a fine straight grain and attractive yellow, black and grey figuring. This durable wood is oily and difficult to work but is excellent for turning and gives a beautiful, smooth finish. Previously, the wood was used for railway sleepers, wagon building, bridge construction and mine supports but increasingly this fine timber is gaining popularity for the manufacture of fine furniture, veneers and flooring.

TreeCo Price Increase

The ever-rising cost of petrol has impacted the nursery in virtually every possible manner and we have had little option but to effect a small increase on the price of our trees.

Please click here to download our latest availability list and wholesale pricing. You can also view our list of trees and pricing on our website.

TreeCo Continually Improving Standards

At TreeCo Wholesale Tree Nursery, we are always looking for ways to improve the quality of the trees that we supply to you. For 2014, our primary focus will be on growing trees with straighter, even more robust trunks and to achieve this we are adjusting spacing in the nursery between the trees as can be seen in the image below.

Added to this is our ongoing focus on organic growing methods. In fact we wrote a detailed article in October last year, which uncovers everything you need to know about the benefits of organically grown trees. Read the article here.

For further information or if you would like to take a tour of our beautiful nursery, give Rudi a call on 082 829 5543 or contact Leske on 072 385 0270.

Interesting Tree Projects from Around the World - Delhi - 'The Forest City'

Since the late 1990’s, the populous city of New Delhi in India has endeavoured to make Delhi a greener and more environmentally friendly place by restoring its diminishing forests to their former glory.

The city had lost much of its original forest to rampant urbanisation as well as through vandalism and neglect, with the result that large portions of the forest area had been destroyed or had deteriorated to such a great extent as to become wasteland. The damage had reached such huge proportions that in 1997, only 26 sq. km. of green cover remained.

Through the implementation of ambitious tree planting initiatives such as the ‘City Plants a Million Trees’ campaign and the hard work of the forestry department, the Isha Foundation and The New Delhi Municipal Corporation and Parks and Gardens department, the city managed to double the extent of the forest areas from 151 sq. km. in 2001 to 296.2 sq. km. by 2011.

Every year, through sheer hard work and dedication, the forest area increases significantly. By the end of 2012 the forested area had increased to 310 sq. km. and again in 2013 literally hundreds of thousands of tree saplings were planted making this one of the largest and most dynamic environmental greening initiatives in the world.

As the forest areas increase, birds and small wildlife return to the city, in fact, Delhi now boasts some 450 bird species within the city. Only Nairobi in Kenya which borders on the Serengeti National Park hosts more bird species within the city.

The citizens of Delhi are encouraged to take part in various tree planting initiatives

and the city supplies the public with free tree saplings. Areas that are to be planted are cleaned, weeded, tilled, fertilised and watered before planting takes place.

After three years, the newly established forest begins to take care of itself and after five years the maturing woodland becomes completely self sustaining, supporting wildlife and providing welcome ‘lungs’ in the city as well as shade.

Although Delhi remains a city of congested traffic and masses of people, the green initiative is growing and is gradually overcoming the destruction caused by irresponsible urbanisation and land use through education, preservation and restoration of its green heritage.

Monday, March 10, 2014

Greenpop - Planting Trees for a Greener Tomorrow

Greenpop.org is an innovative organisation that have launched a hands - on volunteer project where South Africans, as well as tourists from around the world can become involved with the upliftment and environmental education of children in under-resourced areas of Cape Town.

Their aim is to offer volunteers the opportunity to assist with the greening of the urban environment through re-forestation with indigenous trees as well as the planting of fruit trees at schools, community centres and crèches, which will ultimately help to feed the children within these communities.

Volunteers also have the opportunity to help educate the children on the importance of preserving the natural environment and the role that they can play in conservation, as well as raising awareness of climate change and other environmental issues.

This is truly a ‘hands – on’ project as all volunteers are part of a team, helping with the actual planting of the trees alongside the children and other members of the community, while also helping with the mapping and monitoring of trees.

Not only is this a wonderful opportunity for South Africans to become involved with an important and rewarding project and interacting with international volunteers, but overseas volunteers are also be able to explore the magnificent city of Cape Town and immerse themselves in our colourful and diverse South African culture and hospitality.

Any healthy person of 17 years or older may volunteer for this worthwhile project that has already made great stride in making a positive and sustainable difference to the lives of countless children and all members of these under resourced communities.

TreeCo is an official sponsor of Greenpop and we have donated numerous trees in support of this initiative. http://www.greenpop.org/our-supporters/sponsors/
If you aren’t able to volunteer, but would like to support Greenpop, feel free to sponsor a tree through TreeCo, or discover how else you can help by visiting their website http://www.greenpop.org/

Photo credit: Greenpop.org

Spectacular Monthly Tree - March 2014

Brachylaena discolor or Coast silver oak as this tree is more commonly known is a hardy yet attractive tree that does well in the most difficult conditions, including the harsh, dry conditions along the windy Cape coastline. Occurring naturally in coastal bush and associated bushveld, these trees are useful for stabilising dunes or areas where deforestation has taken place. The lanceolate leaves of the Coast silver oak are leathery and dark green on the upper surface while the underside is thickly covered with fine white hairs giving the foliage its silvery appearance. These trees create a lovely contrast with other plants and being extremely low maintenance are highly recommended for a wide variety of landscaping applications.

Botanical Name	Brachylaena discolor
Common Name	Coast Silver Oak
Size Available	50 lt
Quantity in Stock	200
Average Tree Height	2.3 m
Average Trunk Thickness	3 - 4 cm

Availability List for March 2014

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

Please CLICK HERE to download our latest Availability List

Curtisia dentata (Assegai)

Curtisia dentata is a very handsome, medium to large evergreen tree with a dense, well rounded crown. In forest conditions or when grown as a single specimen in shadier areas, the Assegai grows tall and stately but when planted in full sun, these lovely trees develop a particularly dense and bushy crown. The creamy white to red, bitter fruits are attractive to fruit eating birds with the bush dove and the lourie being mainly responsible for the distribution of the seeds. Curtisia dentata is a protected tree in South Africa as the numbers throughout the country have been severely depleted due to over exploitation, as the bark is highly prized in traditional medicine.

TREE DETAILS
Botanical Name	Curtisia dentata
Common Name	Assegai
Genus	Celastraceae
RSA National Tree No’	570
LANDSCAPING USES
The magnificent Assegai is a truly excellent addition to the landscape. These superb trees can safely be planted in any built up or paved area as the roots are totally non-invasive. Another major advantage of planting these trees in an urban environment is that they create hardly any leaf litter while the tough branches ensure that they can withstand severe wind without any damage. These trees make superb specimen or shade trees while a tough, dense leafy screen or hedge can be created by planting a row along any sunny boundary or fence line. Where a landscape is being developed from scratch, Curtisia dentata will provide quick, long lasting and rewarding results.
TREE SPECIFICATIONS
Height	4 – 18 m
Spread	3 - 6 m
Deciduous/Evergreen	Evergreen
Growth Habit	Curtisia dentata is found growing naturally in coastal as well as montane forests throughout South Africa and Swaziland.
Bark	The bark on young trees is grey or reddish and smooth becoming dark as the tree matures with deep, somewhat squarish fissures.
Foliage	The mostly ovate leaves are simple, opposite, thin, leathery and without stipules. Young leaves are bronze and velvety while mature leaves are smooth, dark green above and grey green covered with red brown hairs below. The margins are sharply and strongly toothed.
Flowers	The small creamy flowers are inconspicuous and are borne in terminal sprays from October to March.
Fruit	The round to oval fleshy fruits, are roughly pea sized and are usually white, cream or reddish in colour. They are crowned with the remains of a persistent calyx.
Seed	The fruits contain a small, four chambered nut each of which usually contain a small seed.
GROWING REQUIREMENTS
Growing regions	The Assagai tree is found in the Western Cape and up along the east coast to the Eastern Cape, Kwa Zulu Natal, Mpumalanga, Limpopo and inland towards Swaziland.
Growing conditions	Curtisia dentata grows well in full sun or light shade. Plant in a deep hole to which generous quantities of compost and organic fertilizer have been added. Cover soil around the tree with a deep layer of mulch. Water generously for the first three years.
Best season	Spring - autumn
Hardiness	The Assegai will withstand moderate drought once established. Very young trees are sensitive to frost and may lose their leaves but more mature trees will tolerate some frost.
Propagation	The seeds germinate readily. Remove the fleshy part of the fruit and sow the nut while still fresh. Keep warm and moist and the seeds should germinate within 3 – 4 weeks.
Growth rate	Fast, from 500mm to 1m per year.
INTERESTING FEATURES
The strong, durable timber of the Assegai tree is fine grained and has a reddish colour similar to mahogany. Over the years, this has led to the overexploitation of these magnificent trees as the wood was widely used for wagon making, floors, rafters and tool handles including assegais, as well as fine furniture and other household items. The bark is widely used for medicinal purposes such as the treatment of diarrhea, stomach ailments and as a blood purifier.

Saturday, February 8, 2014

A Three Year Project of Note - The Reforestation of Africa

South Africa hosts many tree planting initiatives throughout the country annually, so it is interesting to see what is being done in other parts of Africa and the rest of the world, with regard to re-forestation and conservation programs.

Botanic Gardens Conservation International otherwise known as BGCI, is a UK based organisation that has become known as the largest plant conservation body in the world.

Their aim is to save the most threatened plant species in the world (some 8,753 tree species in 1998 and this will certainly have increased by now), through initiating conservation action and support for sustainable use, as well as educating local communities on the need for conservation and methods of propagation and replanting.

Aside from their numerous valuable projects throughout the world, BGCI has launched an important 3 year forest restoration and threatened tree species conservation initiative in Africa.

The aim is to promote the use of indigenous species while increasing the role of African botanic gardens in forest restoration.

Forest restoration using indigenous and threatened species will enhance biodiversity and will also benefit local communities by supplying food and medicine.

Most of the tree planting initiatives in Africa, focus on exotic species that deplete nutrients in the ground as well as compromising water supply. Through education and restoration of indigenous species, these issues can be resolved.

To provide a sound basis for extending re-forestation projects throughout Africa, Brackenhurst Botanic Garden in Kenya and Tooro Botanical Gardens in Uganda, both of which already have considerable experience in re-forestation projects, will be supported through training and education programs and the development of guidelines, which can be replicated in other African countries.

By forming partnerships with the private sector, NGO’s and governments, BGCI are making an invaluable contribution towards the prevention of extinctions and the re-forestation of the planet.

Photo credits: Barney Wilczak

Spectacular Monthly Tree - February 2014

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.

The ‘Golden goddess’ bamboo is an exquisite landscaping plant with lovely, arching, golden yellow stems and delicate fresh green foliage that imparts an exotic, tropical feel to any landscape. This graceful, evergreen bamboo is non invasive having an easily maintained clumping growth habit and only reaching a height of 2 - 3 meters, is perfect for smaller gardens. The ‘Golden goddess’ is also an excellent container plant and will enhance any patio or pool area where its delicate beauty can be fully appreciated.

Our specimens are absolutely beautiful so if you are looking for something really different for your landscaping project visit us at the nursery to choose yours now.

Botanical Name	Bambusa multiplex
Common Name	Bamboo Golden Goddess
Size Available	100 lt
Quantity in Stock	60
Average Tree Height	3.0 m
Average Trunk Thickness	Multi-stemmed

Availability List for February 2014

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

Please CLICK HERE to download our latest Availability List.