Why we should care for the indigenous trees in our village

Philip van den Berg

One of our residents, PHILIP VAN DEN BERG (U34), is an acclaimed environmentalist and wildlife photographer. At the invitation of Kwêvoël, he writes: All of us at Renaissance can indeed be proud of the beautiful indigenous trees that flourish in our village.

There are a multitude of advantages of having indigenous trees in our gardens.

Trees of the Bushveld are adapted to the local climate and soil structure and have grown here for ages. They are used to the dry conditions, have found ways to protect themselves from local pests and require far less irrigation, saving time, money, and perhaps the most valuable natural resource, water. In addition they provide vital habitats for birds, reptiles, small mammals and insects.

Non-indigenous plants and trees are not always able to adjust to local conditions and could consume excessive amounts of water. Popular exotic trees such as Johannesburg Gold and Leopard Trees grow fast, but they are very thirsty and are most difficult to remove when they become redundant.

There are several indigenous trees in our village that are old and not so healthy any longer, and it will soon be necessary to replace them. Everyone who is in this situation should consult someone who is knowledgeable in this field.