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Arbor Week 1 - 7 September 2025
Arbor Week is celebrated across South Africa every year from 1 to 7 September, marking the start of spring and highlighting the vital role trees play in our lives. The tradition began in 1983 as Arbor Day and was later extended to a full week in 1996 to encourage all communities to participate in greening the country.
Trees filter the air we breathe, cool our towns and cities, protect the soil, provide food and shelter for wildlife, and help fight climate change by storing carbon.
In Swellendam, planting indigenous trees is especially important for protecting our unique landscapes, from river corridors to critically endangered fynbos. Every tree planted helps restore local biodiversity, provides shade and shelter, and strengthens our natural heritage. Arbor Week is a chance for each of us to leave a living legacy for future generations and to make Swellendam a greener, healthier place for people and wildlife.
Indigenous Trees to Plant in the Swellendam Area
Apodytes dimidiata (Witpeer / White Pear): Small-medium evergreen (5-10m). Drought and wind resistant. Attracts birds with its black fruit.
Apodytes dimidiata Inflorescence (Kasuur / Cheesewood): Hardy, medium-sized tree suitable for most areas. Serves as a windbreak. Birds are attracted by red, sticky fruits and insects are attracted by fragrant flowers.
Calodendrum capense (Kaapse kastaiing / Cape Chestnut): Flowering tree. Thrives in well-drained soil. Butterflies and bees are attracted by flowers and birds eat the seeds.
Vepris lanceolata (Witysterhout / White Ironwood): Non-aggressive root system, ideal for smaller gardens. Tolerates some frost and occasional drought. Pollinators like bees and butterflies are attracted by the flowers.
Podocarpus falcatus (Geelhout / Outeniqua Yellowwood): Large, hardy, evergreen forest tree suitable for larger gardens. Provides excellent shade. Wind-resistant. Birds are attracted to the fleshy cones.
Podocarpus henkelii (Henkel-se-Geelhout / Henkel's Yellowwood): Large, tall highland forest species. Grows best on moist sites with high rainfall. Moderately drought-resistant and frost-hardy. Attracts birds.
Podocarpus latifolius (Opregte Geelhout / Real Yellowwood): Slow growing, prefers good soil, water, and shelter from strong winds. Suitable for large gardens and provides deep shade. Attracts birds.
Celtis africana (Witstinkhout / White Stinkwood): Fast-growing, fairly drought-resistant tree. Can withstand frost. Suitable for large gardens and provides shade. Birds are attracted to the fruits.
Ocotea bullata (Stinkhout / Stinkwood): Lovely tree for larger gardens. Prefers shady forest situations. Fairly fast growing. Birds are attracted to the fruits.
Cunonia capensis (Rooiels / Red Alder): Suitable for cool, moist areas. Fastest growing South African forest tree. Lovely garden subject. Insects are attracted to the flowers and birds feed on the fruits.
Virgilia oroboides (Keurboom / Blossom tree): Fast-growing tree ideal for new gardens. Thrives in full sun to semi-shade. Adaptable to most light, well-drained soils. Birds and insects are attracted by the nectar-rich flowers.
Ilex mitis (Without / Cape Holly): Fairly fast-growing tree. Suitable to plant next to a running stream. Can cope well with frost. Fruit-eating birds are attracted to the red berries.
Kiggelaria africana (Wildeperske / Wild Peach): Well-shaped, dense tree that provides food for a variety of birds and insects. Reasonably frost-hardy and tolerant to a range of temperatures.
Curtisia dentata (Assegaai / Assegai): Handsome tree well adapted to growing in well-drained gardens. Attracts birds and can grow in full sun to light shade.
Rapanea melanophloeos (Kaapse Boekenhout / Cape Beech): Dense evergreen tree perfect for large gardens. Provides shade and structure in large home gardens. Attracts birds.
Olea europaea subsp. africana (Olienhout / Wild Olive): Wind resistant, evergreen tree that supports small wildlife in gardens. Hardy and drought tolerant. Attracts birds.
Olea capensis subsp. macrocarpa (Ysterhout / Ironwood): Hardy, drought tolerant tree ideal for hedges and dry areas. Suitable for home gardens.
Halleria lucida (Notsung / Tree-fuchsia): Great tree for home gardens, water-wise, bird friendly and supports pollinators.
Rothmannia capensis (Valskatjiepiering / Mock Gardenia): Beautiful tree of residential gardens, attracting insects and birds. Suitable for home gardens.
Canthium mundianum (Klipels / Rock Alder): A compact tree for smaller gardens. Drought tolerant.
