Plant for the future too

In the fast paced world we live in, with much house-building and development occurring everywhere, it seems to have become a prerequisite that tree saplings planted must be fast growing. This is a real pity, because many slower growing trees are being ignored as a result. It is often these slower developers who in a century or two will mature into a truly venerable tree. I know no-one who can remain unawed at the sight of one of these giants.

Although our climate is not generally conducive to truly massive trees like those found throughout European countries (the massive oaks, beeches, yews, etc) we have our own gentle giants too.

An ideal example is the milkwood, common throughout much of the Overberg, particularly coastally. While the milkwood (Sideroxylon inerme) seldom reaches a height greater than 10 m, it easily attains the same width, and does so under often very disadvantageous conditions. These giants should be treated with great awe. Not only are they very beautiful to look at, their canopies also provide homes and fruit to many bird species. But because the milkwood is generally regarded as a slow growing species, most home-owners are reluctant to plant them. While they might be fairly slow to establish in natural conditions, with proper soil preparation and regular water, they can grow fairly quickly.

Consider how different our coastal villages would be, had developers planted a single milkwood per erf, 20 or 30 years ago! I recall the local municipality in Hout Bay, Cape Town, planting an avenue of milkwoods approximately twenty years ago. At the time, there was much scoffing about how long it would take to have any noticeable effect. But thanks to some farsighted person, there is now an avenue of beautiful trees in an area which could have supported little else. These are still young trees, and will be giving shade and beauty to many generations yet to be born.

I understand the desire for fast growing trees to soften new neighbourhoods and provide shelter and shade within the foreseeable future. But remember that all the leafy old suburbs in towns are only as lush as they are because someone planted long living tree species many years ago. So look to the future, and plant even just one tree that has the capability to mature into a remarkable specimen for future generations to marvel at.

I have used the milkwood as an example because almost everyone recognizes them on sight! There are many other species, both indigenous and non-native, which can reach considerable sizes, given time. There is, for example, a truly incredible swamp cypress growing in the Company Gardens in central Cape Town. A living monument to nature’s wonders, I make sure to plant one wherever I go, hoping that one of them will one day inspire some unknown stranger to do the same.

Village Life No 2
Not all our aliens are unwanted invaders

Village Life No 3
Be wise with your water!

Village Life No 4
Plants some trees and water them

Village Life No 5
It's the season to plant

Village Life No 6
Plants should thrive, not survive

Village Life No 8
A dry summer is not death to your garden

Village Life No 9
Go on! Be Creative!

Village Life No 10
Plant for the future too

Village Life No 11
It's time to get those bulbs in for spring!

Village Life No 12
Take a new look at succulents