Arbor day tree spree

Gardening
with Debbie Reynhardt

THE balmy weather that locals have been experiencing may lead some to believe that Spring has already sprung, but next week it is official.

The first week of Spring brings with it Arbor Week (September 1 -- 7) providing us with a perfect opportunity to get our hands dirty for a good cause.

Although trees have been celebrated in many rituals since the beginning of time, Arbor Day as we commonly know it, originated in Nebraska as a result of the efforts of one J Sterling Morton. He wished to provide windbreaks to prevent soil erosion on what was once a treeless plain.

J Morton was the editor of Nebraska's first newspaper, and he used this platform to spread awareness about the necessity of trees. His efforts paid off, and on April 10, 1872 an official Arbor Day was declared. Prizes were offered to individuals who planted the most trees, and it is estimated that over a million trees were planted on that first Arbor Day

Our first Arbor Day in South Africa in 1975, celebrated our national tree, the Yellowwood.

Now we have a whole week devoted to the planting of trees. The theme for National Arbor Week 2000 is Trees Heal Our Land, and the indigenous trees which have been chosen as this year's representatives are the River willow (Salix Mucronata) and the Weeping wattle (Peltophorum Africanum).

The River willow (Umngcunube in Xhosa) is found along river banks throughout South Africa, most particularly in the southern Free State, the western Cape (except west coast) and southern Namibia.

It is a majestic tree, growing to about 15m in height. The characteristic willow foliage is summer growing, (the tree is deciduous) and augmented with small yellowish flowers between August and October. These are replaced with capsule shaped fruits which later split to release tufted woolly seeds. River willows are readily propagated, taking easily from truncheons and cuttings. Medicinal uses of this tree include treatment of rheumatism and fever. The tree contains salicyn (salicylic acid is a primary ingredient of Aspirin), which gives it anti-inflammatory properties. Although similar in appearance, the River willow is not to be confused with the Weeping willow (Salix babylonica) which is exotic but has become naturalised due to widespread planting.

The Weeping wattle is the second tree of choice this year, and with it's widespread low branches, it is an ideal tree to provide shade from our baking summers. It has a fine feathery foliage that looks a bit like thorn tree foliage, but it has no thorns. It is a lovely sight when in flower (October-February).

The sprays of bright yellow flowers are replaced with oval shaped brown seedpods. The plant propagates readily from seed, and after transplanting it grows fairly rapidly. It is not very frost resistant, and must be protected in frost prone areas, especially in it's formative years.

The roots and bark are for healing purposes in instances of backache and nausea. Peltophorum africanum should not be confused with the invader wattle trees from Australia.

Don't forget that once planted, the trees will need on-going care.

Arbor Week should represent an enduring expression of our commitment to improving our environment and by inextricable association, ourselves and future generations.