1 September - Arbour Week!

Freshly watered Large Leaved Fig

Spring has sprung! And while the bush is starting to change coclour as the Knobthorns, Shambok Pod Trees and Weeping Boer Beans start to flower, Motswari is feeling as festive and is therefore taking part in Arbour Day (which in South Africa, is actually a full week)!

We tend to take for granted the beauty and absolute importance of trees in our environment. We tend to forget that without them, we would not have the oxygen needed for our survival, we would not have fruit, shade, greenery and forests. I would certainly have had a very boring childhood without trees, seeing as though I spent most of my timing climbing them. They beatify our earth and we are losing them at an alarming rate. From deforestation, to pollution, to industry and construction - its the trees that are taking the knock!

Solly with the Coral Tree

A baby Impala Lilly

Dave carrying the Baobab

Arbour Day (or week in S.A) is an opportunity to celebrate the wonders of our trees and regreen our surrounds. Plantzafrica.com briefly explain the day on their website,

"In South Africa, Arbor Day was first celebrated in 1983. The event captured the imagination of people who recognized 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. Collective enthusiasm for the importance of this issue in South Africa inspired the national government, in 1999, to extend the celebration of Arbor Day to National Arbor Week. From 1 to 7 September every year, schools, businesses and organizations are encouraged to participate in community "greening" events to improve the health and beauty of the local environment and propose a green future for South Africa." (http://www.plantzafrica.com/miscell/arborweek.htm)

Andrea, Solly, Cedric and Thea prepping the soil

The year of 2012 is aimed at supporting the following two species; Water Beery (Syzygium cordatum) and Red Beech (Protorhus longifloia). I unfortunately could not find these species a round the Hoedspruit area but instead we have planted the following; 6 Impala Lilles, 2 Forest Num Nums, 1 Quinine Tree, 1 Large-Leaved Fig, 6 Spekbook, 1 Coral Tree, 3 Ana Trees, 2 Lillies and a Baobab all thanks to Johan from Bavaria.

Before...

After...

Why not get your green-fingers going and plant an indigenous tree in your garden at home, and if this is too much at least spend a minute or two this week to ponder how desolate the world would be without our trees!