Arbor Week 2016 – Trees For Life

September 13, 2016 Brenda du Toit

The Dyer Island Conservation Trust Environmental Education Programme (DEEP) went tree planting in the Franskraal Milkwood Forest for Arbor Day. Benjamin Kondokter of the Overstrand Municipality arranged the four white milkwood (Sideroxylon inerme) trees which were planted by the group.  The milkwood is a protected tree in South Africa and this area in Franskraal has space where these trees can be planted.

South Africa celebrates Arbor Week in the first week of September annually. The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), as the custodian of forestry in South Africa, is responsible for the campaign. This is an opportune time to call on all South Africans to plant indigenous trees as a practical and symbolic gesture of sustainable environmental management.

The students were assisted by the International Marine Volunteers and Grootbos Foundation. All enjoyed a walk through the forest after the ‘hard’ work.

The Trust is concerned about milkwoods that are being removed off properties and not replaced. If you are just as concerned about these ancient trees, we are building a database of interested parties in order to push for bylaws with respect to their replacement. Please mail