Now is the best time to plant trees, with enough water from winter rains and giving them time to acclimatise to their new homes before warmer weather sets in. The City of Cape Town’s nursery is currently home to 41 600 plants, excluding 5 000 Spekbome waiting to go to eager gardeners.
‘This time of year is usually tree planting season for the City’s Recreation and Parks Department, and although they are not yet fully operational, they are hard at work getting ready for when restrictions allow. Our nursery is home to more than 41 000 plants which include trees, aloes and ground cover which are grown mainly for City use on street verges, public open spaces and parks. About 5 000 Spekbome are growing patiently until regulations allow for them to be handed over to the NGOs, ward councillors and residents who applied for the trees earlier this year,’ said the Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.
Planting trees during winter is hugely beneficial, because:
- It allows them some growing time to establish root systems that will survive in hot summers
- There is more water and less wind
- The colder weather discourages insects from chewing your new tree and
- Trees will have a chance to acclimatise to their new homes
‘Trees are planted primarily for their beauty and shade, but they have many other benefits. Trees can soothe and relax us and help us connect to nature and our surroundings. It is also of benefit to the environment as it reduces pollution, lowers energy costs, and improves the aesthetics of communities,’ added Councillor Badroodien.
Winter is also a busy time for the department and since the start of the season on 1 May, the City of Cape Town’s Recreation and Parks Department has attended to 173 tree related call outs.
After hours standby teams are on duty to attend to horticultural emergencies as was the case with the last storm when two healthy trees were uprooted by the wind and damaged vehicles.
‘Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to predict when or which tree or branch is going to fall or break. In many cases, the defects are under ground or inside the tree and not visible without the most sophisticated and time consuming scientific tests. The City employs a dedicated arborist who is entrusted with the care and maintenance of the City’s valuable tree assets. Trees are inspected periodically and maintenance is carried out as and when necessary.
‘The department also relies on partnerships with the community to identify high risk trees and when required, commits resources to mitigate risks and to respond timeously to incidents,’ said Councillor Badroodien.
If you have large trees on your property, get a reputable tree felling contractor to regularly check on the trees and perform the necessary maintenance.
Be vigilant and report any obvious defective trees situated in public areas and road verges.
The Recreation and Parks Directorate’s after hour standby teams are responsible for all horticultural related emergencies occurring on City land outside of normal working hours.
Fully equipped and trained standby teams perform their duties at various sites throughout the City and are dispatched to remove obstructions and make areas safe after a tree has been uprooted or branches have blown off.