“A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they know they shall never sit” –Greek Proverb
With Spring in the air, it’s time to celebrate Arbour Month.
The theme for this year, being “Trees are Terrific…for Today and Tomorrow”. And so, say all of us!
In celebration of Arbour month, the Dyer Island Conservation Trust in collaboration with tourism partners CapeNature and the Overstrand Municipality will plant 26 trees at two primary schools, Gansbaai Primêr, Laerskool Gansbaai, Die Kleine Gansies Educare and the Silwerjare service centre for older persons in Blompark. Arbor Day is an environmental awareness day in which individuals and groups are encouraged to plant trees. Though usually observed in the spring, the date varies, depending on climate and suitable planting season. South Africa first celebrated this event in 1983 and it is now celebrated for a week in September. The event captured the imagination of people who recognised the need for raising awareness of the value of trees in our society. As sources of building material, food, medicine, and simple scenic beauty, trees play a vital role in the health and well-being of our communities.
We are grateful to CapeNature and the Overstrand Municipality, who sponsored Yellowwood, Wild Plum and Wild Peach and Sand Olive, to be planted in our beautiful town, Gansbaai.
The yellowwood family has been present in this part of Africa for more than 100 million years. The species is widespread and is found from Table Mountain, along the southern and eastern Cape coast, in the ravines of the Drakensberg up to the Soutpansberg and the Blouberg in Limpopo and is considered as a national tree and is protected based on its historical dominance all over the country. The tree was used a lot for tables and cupboards, as it polishes up very well. The South African Railways used to use the timber to make railway sleepers.
Wild Plum is easy to grow and very drought hardy and makes a very attractive street or garden tree, with its dense green foliage and bright red edible berries in season. Its indigenous name is Umgwenyabomvu in isiXhosa. Bomvu is an adjectival suffix meaning red, and Umgwenya translates as olive or obstacle. The term ‘obstacle’ may refer to magical or medicinal properties in traditional indigenous herbalism.
The wild peach is a very tough, hardy and fast-growing tree. It prefers a sunny position (but tolerates shade) and a moderate amount of water. It also survives frost. It naturally forms a large shade tree with a gentle, non-invasive root system, but also makes a good windbreak or hedge.
Working under the Theme: “Trees Are Terrific…for Today and Tomorrow!” highlights the long-lasting impact of planting a tree and the benefits it continues to provide to our community. Planting a tree is a fun activity we can enjoy today, knowing that the tree will continue to improve our lives over time. Trees planted throughout our communities not only provide beauty but help shade our streets and schoolyards and create habitat and food for wildlife. Trees planted today will also be terrific “tomorrow” as they also improve air quality, muffle noise, moderate air temperatures, filter run-off into streams and rivers, and reduce energy consumption.
Trees sponsored by CapeNature and Overstrand Municipality
Preparing the ground for planting – Pinkey Ngewu of DICT
Representatives from the Overstrand Municipality and CapeNature
Grade R learners ready to plant trees
Plant a tree today
Silwerjare Service Centre for the aged helping with the planting trees
Reforestation of the Milkwood forest
Teamwork – DICT/CapeNature/Overstrand Municipality
Planting trees at De Kleine Gansies Educare
Laerskool Gansbaai learners joined the toddlers from De Kleine Gansies for Arbor day lesson
Stakeholders from Left to Right – Marco Cornelius of the Overstrand Municipality Environmental Management, Pinkey Ngewu of the Dyer Island Conservation Trust and Phunyuzwa Xhegwana of CapeNature Stakeholder Engagement Officer
