Trees of Southern Africa

[dw1]

You can have it for mahala - you will have to come round and collect it though

[Offshore]

You can have it for mahala - you will have to come round and collect it though

Ek is mos om die draai van jou. Ek sal jou kontak, dankie.

[dw1]

Sal nice wees om te ontmoet. Ek is op die oomblik in Iraq maar kom 10 Julie weer SA toe. Eers 'n paar dae in Pta/Tzaneen en dan in die klein karoo.

[dw1]

Boom aalwyn - Tree Aloe
Aloe barberae in flower

[Offshore]

Lekker Man. Wat maak jy in Tzaneen daai tyd?

[dw1]

Lekker Man. Wat maak jy in Tzaneen daai tyd?

Gaan 'n bike optel wat ek daar gekoop het.

[dw1]

Anaboom, Anatree. Faidherbia Albida - Easily identified by the very curly pods bright orange to almost red in colour
Took this one in a dry river bed in Namibia

[Beltzer]

The annatree we get here in Pta looks quite different, they tend to be taller with a much smaller cover diameter to height ratio than the tree in that photo. Thats probably because that one lives in a harsher environment. Great photo of a beautiful specimen!

[LeonDude]

Ok, so we know that when Veld is overgrazed the Sicklebush (Sekelbos) takes over. Once the Grass eaters are taken off the Grass starts growing again and in Time (about 3 Years) the Sicklebush gets "killed" by the Grass. I would like to know what it is exactly that kills the Sicklebush. Does Anybody know?

Some plants produce compounds that inhibit the growth of competing species in their close vicinity. That is why other plants won't grow under and around certain species of trees. It is quite possible that some grass species produce a substance that kills sickle bush. It could also be that the grass is more effective at extracting moisture and nutrients from the soil. That will explain why grass kills of the sickle bush scrub and not the established trees.

There is another theory as well, which tells why the highveld is all grassland. Grasses evolved much later than trees, so at one stage the whole of the highveld was full of trees. The grasses, however, have their important bits below ground, while only the leafy bits are above ground. These leafy bits dry out in the dry season and burns really easily in fires started by lightning. The important part of grass, being underground, is not affected by the fires. The trees are affected by these fires, which burn with particular fierceness. And so the grasslands take over from the trees.
(Credit - A history of earth and life from a southern African perspective)

[Sagittaire]

Interesting trees i have planted in the past 5 years on an Eco Estate in KZN where i stay include:

• Red & White stinkwood
  Marula
  Pepper trees (Warburgia Salutaris)
  Weeping Boorbean
  Quteniqua and Henkel Yellowwood
  Wild Plum

These are the more interesting but have also planted all the common stuff like Acacia, Soapberry, Natal Mahogany, Cape Ash etc.

[Offshore]

KZN has such a big variety of Trees, I think it might just be the Province with the diversity.
The White Stinkwood is such a rewarding Tree, with very fast growth and it attracts Birdlife. I once cut a big Branch off a Maroela and planted it. No problem, the Tree is growing.

[dw1]

I want one! Can I buy one from you?

We have a "Vetplant Fees" during the long weekend 23 - 25 Sept in Calitzdorp.
You can come and buy Quiver trees and all sorts of succulents as much as you like.
Also have some veld walks and expert talks on succulent plants etc.

Those little quiver trees are now a bit bigger - I'll post pics of them tomorrow.

[Offshore]

I shall be there, Wonderful News.

[dw1]

Some of the plants that will be for sale at the festival:
This is only a small sample. There will be lots of different and quite rare plants, Veld walks with a knowledgeable field guide, expert talks on succulent gardening and water wise plants etc.

[Offshore]

Thanks for the reminder, can you please Post more detail, location, Times etc?

[dw1]

Hi Offshore

It is at the old Station in Calitzdorp. The road going to Rooiberg pass just before you exit the town the station is on the left.

Times are 10 am - 5 PM Sat Sun and Monday.

I will be there all the time selling plants. Come say Hi when you pitch up. I'll be next to the Calitzdopr Succulent Society stall.

Hope you can make it. Lots of plants for sale and also some botanical art. and the best sosaties you have tasted.

[Offshore]

Fantastic, I'll see you on Sunday.

[dw1]

Time for Calitzdorp Succulent Festival again.
Come get your Quiver tree ...
Lots of Succulent plants will be up for sale with veld walks, Workshops on plant propagation, vertical gardening etc.Expert talks on various Plant topics.