Valuable Advice to Celebrate Arbor Week
Helpful tips from the indigenous specialists as South Africa celebrates Arbor Week.
Arbor Week is an annual event that has an exciting history, and an even more exciting future. In 1872, pioneers in the American state of Nebraska missed the lush forests of their homelands to such an extent that they proposed a day to be set aside each year for planting new trees. As a result, the first Arbor Day took place in April the same year, and saw more than a million trees planted across the state. Since then, the concept of Arbor Day has taken root not only in other states but in other countries across the world- and in 1983, South Africa adopted the tradition thanks to the efforts of the contemporary Department of Forestry.
Recognising the value of a project that not only beautified South African landscapes but made them more environmentally sustainable, the Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry later chose to extend the annual event until it became the Arbor Week with which we are familiar today. Arbor Week is celebrated from the 1st to the 7th of September each year, and falls under the jurisdiction of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. Its purpose is to encourage all South Africans, whether individually or at a governmental or community level, to promote conservation and sustainability goals by planting indigenous trees. Most importantly, Arbor Week serves to highlight the vital role that trees play in the lives of humans all over the world.
This planting process is referred to as ‘greening’, a term that describes the planting, care and management of trees and plants across the country- all with the aim of reaping considerable benefits both for the environment, and for the community. In South Africa, Arbor Week focuses particularly on the concept of encouraging the planting of indigenous species, particularly in previously disadvantaged areas that have suffered from a lack of greening initiatives in the past.
Located just north of Scottburgh in the grounds of Crocworld Conservation Centre, Izinyoni nursery is run and advised by several experts, including indigenous landscaping guru Elsa Pooley who advises: “When it comes to choosing and planting indigenous trees to compliment your home or business remember that Indigenous species provide a habitat for native fauna, and need less water than imported trees, therefore saving on water bills and allowing gardeners to adhere to water usage restrictions”
Pooley recommends the following flowering trees like the Tree Fuchsia (Halleria lucida), fruit bearing trees including the Umdoni or Waterberry (Syzigium cordatum) and the elegant, fragrant-leaved tree of the year, Lavender-tree (Heteropyxis natalensis). Many coastal gardens already have a lot of trees, so gardeners should consider planting some of the many flowering and fruiting shrubs instead. The Forrest Wild Pear (Dombeya tiliacea), Wild Laburnum (Calpurnia aurea), River Indigo (Indigofera jucunda) and the Cross-Berry Tree, (Grewia occidentalis) are excellent choices.
Whether your landscaping project this Arbor Week is big or small, your contribution adds to a better, greener South Africa.
Visit Izinyoni Retail Nursery at Crocworld Conservation Centre Monday to Sunday between 08h00 and 16h30
Find a Garden Nursery or Green Living Specialist near you.