September 2019 home 91
Trees of the Year
In South Africa, Arbor Day was first
celebrated in 1983 to raise awareness of the
valueof treesasa sourceof building
material,foodandmedicineandforthe role
theyplayin thehealthandwell-beingof our
communities.In1999,thecelebrationof
ArborDaywasextendedto NationalArbor
Week,1–7September.
TwoTreesof theYearareselectedevery
year;thesearethe 2019 choices:
Theapple-leaf(Philenopteraviolacea) makes a
lovelygardensubjectdueto itsgraceful growth
habit,palefoliageandbeautifulflowers.
Thismediumto large,deciduousto semi-deciduous tree
is frost-sensitiveanddrought-resistantwith a spreading,
densecrown.Spraysof sweetlyscented white to bluish-pink,
mauveto deepvioletflowersappearfrom September to
December,followedbyflatpods.Thewood is used in
carvings,forbuildingpolesandin traditional remedies. >>
ByKayMontgomery
The marula (Sclerocarya birrea) is widespread in Africa, from Ethiopia to
KwaZulu-Natal. This is one of the easier indigenous trees to propagate,
although it is slow-growing. It is a medium to large deciduous tree for
frost-free areas, with an erect trunk and rounded crown. Male and female
flowers are borne on separate trees, the flowers of male plants producing
pollen and the female flowers producing fruit. Insects pollinate the
flowers. The fruit is edible, eaten fresh or made into jelly, while a liqueur
made from the fruit is available commercially. The wood of the tree is
used for furniture, flooring, carving and household utensils.
Photograph
Getty Images
Inset photographs
Mark Mattson and Geoff Nichols
Did you know?
The marula tree can grow up to
18m in nature, but in a garden
setting will not grow as tall.
Apple-leaf pods
Marula fruit