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Tree Medicines of the Garden Route: Cape Holly

Tree Medicines of the Garden Route - African Holly_Cape Holly - Precious Tree Project

Scientific name: Ilex mitis.
Family: Aquifoliaceae.
Common names: African holly, Cape holly, Wild holly, Water tree (Eng.); Waterboom, Waterhout, Without (Afr.); Monamane (Northern Sotho); iPhuphuma (Zulu), umDuma (Xhosa); liBota (Swazi); Phukgu, Phukgile (Southern Sotho); Mutanzwa-khamelo (Venda).

There is only one recorded species of holly tree in South Africa and it’s our beautiful African or Cape Holly which is found primarily in coastal forest & mountainous forest regions in SA and along rivers and streams.

Another common name given to the African Holly is the “water tree” – which is linked to the belief that the presence of this tree is an indication of underground water near the surface.

The Cape Holly seems to be a favourite source of food for our Knysna Forest Elephants who have been noted to feed off the leaves of this forest tree more so than the leaves of the other endemic forest trees.

Note:

a. Bear in mind when harvesting any indigenous tree to do so sustainably. Different trees and different parts of a tree have their own harvesting methods and periods throughout the year. The South African National Biodiversity Institute has informative harvesting tips on their website (SANBI link below).

b. As with any medication, when using plants for their medicinal values it is recommended that you seek professional guidance from a natural health practitioner and undertake appropriate research before use.

For additional information on germination, propagation, ecology, maintenance, etc. of indigenous SA trees, go to: www.sanbi.org.za

Click here if you would like to sponsor a African Holly and help grow a mini forest!

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Tree Medicines of the Garden Route: Broom Cluster Fig

Tree Medicines of the Garden Route - Broom Cluster Fig - Precious Tree Project

Scientific name: Ficus sur.
Family: Moraceae.
Common names: Broom cluster fig (Eng.); Besem-trosvy (Afr.); Mogo-tshetlo (North Sotho); Umkhiwane (Xhosa); Umkhiwane (Zulu).

This species is widely distributed through Western Cape into Africa and are usually found on riverbanks and in riverine forest areas, but can also be found in drier woodlands. Their habitat is restricted to frost-free areas with moderate rainfall. All South African figs are edible, although they are not all palatable and are often infested with insects and larvae. Characteristic of all figs is the copious white latex, which is secreted from any damaged part of the plant.

Note:

a. When harvesting any indigenous tree, do so sustainably. Different trees and different parts of a tree have their own harvesting methods and periods throughout the year. The South African National Biodiversity Institute has informative harvesting tips on their website (SANBI link below).

b. As with any medication, when using plants for their medicinal values it is recommended that you seek professional guidance from a natural health practitioner and undertake appropriate research before use.

For additional information on germination, propagation, ecology, maintenance, etc. of indigenous SA trees, go to: www.sanbi.org.za

Click here if you would like to sponsor a Broom Cluster Fig and help grow a mini forest!

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Tree Medicines of the Garden Route: Forest Elder

Scientific name: Nuxia floribunda Benth.
Family: Stilbaceae.
Common names: Forest Elder; Forest Nuxia; Wild Elder (Eng.); Bosvlier; Vlier (Afr.); umHlambandlazi, iThambo, Ingobese, Isanywana, umKhobeza (Zulu); iNgqota, isiKhali (Xhosa); Motlhabare (Northern Sotho); Mula-notshi; Mpupumwa (Venda).

The forest elder is widely spread in the coastal & mountain forest belts of SA, extending from the Cape Midlands through to the Limpopo. The forest elder is comprised of bark that is fibrous and stringy, leaves in whorls of three and the flowers which are bisexual. The sweet smelling creamy-white flowers appear in large clusters from late Autumn to end of Spring and are seen to be both self-pollinating and insected-pollinated, primarily bees, in search of nectar and pollen. Full flowering occurs usually every second year where an abundance of fruit on the tree develops.

Notes and tips:

a) Bear in mind when harvesting any indigenous tree to do so sustainably. Different trees and different parts of a tree have their own harvesting methods and periods throughout the year. The South African National Biodiversity Institute has informative harvesting tips on their website (SANBI link below))

b) As with any medication, when using plants for their medicinal values it is recommended that you seek professional guidance from a natural health practitioner and undertake appropriate research before use.

For additional information on germination, propagation, ecology, maintenance, etc of indigenous SA trees, go to: www.sanbi.org.za

Click here if you would like to sponsor a Forest Elder and help grow a mini forest!

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Tree Medicines of the Garden Route: Outeniqua Yellowwood

Tree Medicines of the Garden Route - Outeniqua Yellowwood - Precious Tree Project NPO

Scientific name: Afrocarpus falcatus.
Family: Podocarpaceae.
Common names: Outeniqua yellowwood (Eng), Outeniekwageelhout (Afrikaans) Mogôbagôba (Northern Sotho), Umsonti (Zulu).

The Outeniqua Yellowwood grows in most forests in South Africa and is prolific in the Garden Route. Trees in the podocarpacea family are dioecious, which means that they are either male or female. The male cones of the Outeniqua Yellowwood develop during early summer (November) on the twigs produced the previous year and the pollen is released by the end of the next winter (a two-year period). Male trees can be identified by the dry cones on the forest floor. The female cones develop with new leaves in spring and are pollinated when the pollen is released from the almost one-year old male cones. The large, yellow, fleshy fruits take approximately 12 months to ripen.

Yellowwood trees are protected under the National Forests Act, 1998, as amended, and may not be cut, damaged, destroyed or disturbed without a licence granted by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries (Forestry branch).

Note:

a. Bear in mind when harvesting any indigenous tree to do so sustainably. Different trees and different parts of a tree have their own harvesting methods and periods throughout the year. The South African National Biodiversity Institute has informative harvesting tips on their website (SANBI link below))

b. As with any medication, when using plants for their medicinal values it is recommended that you seek professional guidance from a natural health practitioner and undertake appropriate research before use.

Click here if you would like to sponsor an Outeniqua Yellowwood and help grow a mini forest!

For additional information on germination, propagation, ecology, maintenance, etc. of our indigenous SA trees in the Garden Route, go to: www.pza.sanbi.org.za

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Tree Medicines of the Garden Route

From the start of our activities, and as part of our ongoing mission to assist the natural regeneration of our local forests, we have focused on planting out indigenous forest trees in the form of mini “bio-mimicked forest patches” that emulate the larger endemic forest regions found in the Garden Route. The mini “forest patches” being planted out comprise a variety of different trees that are indigenous to the Garden Route and endemic to the planting sites selected.

As more media attention is being given to the important role that trees and forests play in our lives, many of us are becoming more aware of the apparent and not so apparent benefits that forests and trees play in the overall health & wellbeing of all life on the planet … bringing biodiversity to a region, creating havens and a source of food for insect and wildlife, filtering our soils, air and water, absorbing carbon & releasing oxygen … all as the forest grows and matures.

Health professionals themselves are increasingly recommending a re-connection to the natural environment and promoting natural alternatives such as walking in nature, taking a forest bathe, meditating under a tree and breathing in phytoncides (immune boosting compounds released by trees) for emotional and mental wellness.

What many of us do not know is that many trees also offer medicinal values that have been recorded over the years. We do not normally think of trees for their medicinal values, but like most herbal and plant medicines, many trees themselves have a range of medicinal values and can be used in the same way as other herbal preparations – infused teas, tinctures, oils, concoctions, salves and poultices – to alleviate certain ailments.

If you live in the Garden Route and you are interested in some of the medicinal values that many of our local indigenous forest food trees have been recorded to offer, watch this space!

Related Posts

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The Myth of Trees

Indigenous Trees are Slow Growers:

There is a belief among many with whom we engage, that indigenous trees are naturally slow growers. Yes, if you compare the growth rate of some indigenous trees, like Keurbooms (pioneer trees and superfast growers) to other indigenous trees like Milkwoods (not as fast growing as the pioneer trees). For the most part, however, it is not true that indigenous trees are slow growers. Plant an indigenous tree in an endemic position where the growing conditions are naturally perfect for the tree to thrive, they grow surprisingly quickly.

In April 2018, Ray Nolan, was gifted over 50 trees through Precious Tree Project for his 50th birthday by close family and friends. On the weekend of the 26th April 2020, we gathered together to plant out a variety of precious indigenous trees on his small holding in Wilderness Heights, including Outeniqua Yellowwoods, Boekenhouts and Wild Olives. Today, these trees have shot up by 2-3m in the space of nearly 24 months.

Correct choice of endemic species for the site and selective planting methods have not only enabled these indigenous trees to survive with little maintenance post-planting, but grow rapidly over the past two years. ROI in the assisted regenerative growth of our forests is faster than you think.

If you would like to sponsor a tree and help us help our endemic indigenous forests in the Garden Route grow, click here and learn how you can get involved!

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The Garden Route and its Environmental Challenges

Appropriately named for its lush natural vegetation, the Garden Route is one of the few natural forest biomes in Southern Africa. The area supports a wide variety of animal and plant life and is home to roughly 450 000 people who live here. It is a popular tourist and adventure destination with its rivers, mountains, oceans, lagoons, waterfalls and great weather … the perfect place for para-gliding, ocean-boating, diving, snorkeling, golf, forests walks, mountain-hiking, bird-watching, cycling, river rafting, canoeing, swimming, beach walks and much more.

Under the surface of it all, our beautiful area faces many environmental challenges.

The Garden Route and its Environmental Challenges

Growth & development, population growth, expanding business & residential development, climate change, rising temperatures, and the ravages of drought and fires over the past decade have had a significant impact on what remains of our indigenous forest along the coast. These factors have had and continue to have a large impact on pollution levels in our rivers, oceans, soils and air (particularly glyphosates). Currently, one of the greatest hazards are the devastating fires that flare up regularly – the “constitutional weakness” of this area – threating all life here. 

Garden Route challenges - garden route fires 2018

Our forests can check a fire to a point, but they too are capable of burning, particularly in drought conditions and when the forest floors are dry – which happens when non-indigenous trees invade.

Hot berg winds are a characteristic feature here and rising temperatures exacerbate the threat of fire outbreaks. This is compounded by the harsh reality that hundreds of kilometers of Garden Route property (private, public and government owned) are invaded by acres and acres of non-indigenous trees. These themselves compete with our indigenous fauna for water, and are fuel for fire in the event of a fire outbreak.

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The Benefits of Trees

benefits of trees

Planting out indigenous trees in bio-mimicked forest patches has a range of benefits for both the natural environment and all life on the planet.

Benefits of Trees for our natural environment

As a tree grows and matures, it will produce more oxygen than carbon dioxide. This means that a growing and maturing tree will contribute to reducing greenhouse gases and will reduce global warming for anything between 40 and 100 years (and beyond). The other benefits of trees are endless and range from the most basic and practical, such as binding and nitrogen fixing of soil to improving all around water quality.

A single tree becomes a biosphere and an ecosystem for many forms of life, ranging from bacteria, insects, birds through to primates, apes and humans. Many trees planted together to mature into a forest will develop into a wonderfully complex, inter-connected and intricate life-form that is beyond the individual tree.

Trees play a key role in our battle against climate change

Trees play a key role in our battle against climate change. They feed our rivers, help to regulate the impact of storms and floods, harbour biologically-diverse ecosystems, provide shelter, jobs and security for forest-dependent populations. Within our cities, urban forests purify the air and ground water, regulate temperatures, provide shade, and encourage pride of place. More benefits of trees:

  • Reduce greenhouse gases and reduce global warming.
  • Oxygen production as the tree grows and matures.
  • Shade and cooling of the natural environment.
  • Biomass and biodiversity.
  • Food and shelter for a myriad of different life forms; from the most basic of moss and fungi to other plants, birds, insects, animals, and human-beings.
  • Provide medicinal value.
  • Future building materials. Limited use of trees/wood as a building material is recommended in fire hazardous areas.
  • Future life on this planet.

Benefits of Trees for Us

  • Trees produce the oxygen we need to breathe!!
  • Cleans the air we breathe (absorbs CO2).
  • Cleans the water we need to drink – nearly 70% of our bodies are made up of water.
  • Cleans the water we need to grow our food.
  • Cleans the soil in which we need to plant our food and grow our trees.
  • Provides shade to our homes when well positioned.
  • Save electricity consumption as it reduces reliance on air-conditioners in summer.
  • Provides a healing, relaxing environment for mental, emotional and spiritual well-being.

Sponsor Trees!

Every tree you sponsor goes towards regenerating and expanding natural endemic forest areas along the Garden Route. Not only are you growing forests, you are also contributing to the PTP Workforce, and the daily upkeep of our mini-satellite nurseries where all the magic happens before we plant out the trees.

Want to volunteer? Keep an eye on our Facebook Page for live updates on tree planting sessions and more!