Top 10 indigenous trees to plant.

Written By: Glenice Ebedes

South Africa is home to a magnificent variety of indigenous trees and shrubs, and with a move by home owners towards the use of indigenous plants, it has become ever more important to choose species that will work in your home.

Whilst many indigenous species are now being planted in gardens around Gauteng, not all of them are suitable for small gardens where walls, paving and house foundations need to be taken into account. Indeed, in my day to day consultations with clients I frequently come across gardens where incorrect species or incorrect planting techniques have been used, often leaving the home owner with costly expenses to fell problem trees or repair the damage to property.

Even seemingly innocuous exotics such as palms and yuccas can become problems over time, either putting pressure on walls as their stems bulge, or dropping heavy fronds and seed pods which can break roof tiles! Fortunately there are some beautiful indigenous alternatives that are ideal for small gardens, so to help you along we’ve created a list of the top 10 indigenous trees for small gardens on the highveld, with a selection below this list of species that would also be worthwhile. Please note that the list is entirely subjective, and we’d welcome your feedback on the selection. Here are the criteria used to compile the list: The tree should be used more often as a tree, rather than as a shrub. i.e. we’ve excluded species that regularly feature as trees in tree books, but which we prefer to utilise as shrubs for our landscaping clients, e.g. Mackaya Bella, Freylinia tropica.

The tree should not be too slow growing. Slow growing species are ideal for low maintenance gardens, but we generally find that our clients prefer trees that will reach a respectable height in a reasonable time. Note however that the terms ‘fast’ and ‘slow’ in the context of trees are relative terms! Indigenous highveld trees usually grow at a rate of between half a metre to a metre in a year – patience is always required when growing trees.

The tree should be moderately frost tolerant (although most trees should be protected from frost when they are young)

The tree should have a non-aggressive root system. This is usually a critical factor when planting in a small garden, although we still recommend that all trees be planted at least 1-2 metres away from walls, foundations and paving.

We specifically excluded trees that are usually planted for their structural appeal, such as Cussonia sp. and Aloe Barberae, the Tree Aloe (although both these species are also unsuitable for small gardens due to aggressive roots systems and bulging stems respectively.)

Please keep in mind that for very small gardens, e.g. 10 square metres or less, you may want to consider alternatives to the list povided, or to grow your trees in pots. Use the list as a guide and base your decisions on the spread and height that each species will eventually provide, and what your ultimate goal for your garden is.

Herewith are our top 10 indigenous trees for small gardens on the South African highveld:

Heteropyxis natalensis (Lavender Tree)

With its pale bark, beautiful shape, and semi-deciduous foliage, the Lavender Tree, Heteropyxis natalensis, is one of our favourite small garden trees. It has a very ornamental shape, and is an ideal replacement for the exotic Silver Birch or ubiquitous Leopard Tree (Caesalpinnea ferrea). Lavender Trees are slower growing than other species on this list, but with patience they offer the home owner a beautiful specimen for their gardens. In the wild they are frequently found on rocky hillsides, and in Gauteng some beautiful specimens exist in the Tweedespruit conservancy on the outskirts of Cullinan.

Kiggelaria africana (Wild Peach)

This magnificent semi-deciduous tree can grow to over 12 metres in ideal conditions, but usually reaches between 8 – 10 metres. It has beautiful light grey-green foliage, and is ideal if you do not want your garden to appear too dark. The Kiggelaria has male and female parts on separate trees, so if you want a tree that provides fruit for birds you must choose a female tree from your nursery (Not an easy task for your nurseryman if the specimens are small! Try to look for the small grey-green fruit cases during the fruiting season, February-July) Female/fruiting trees attract a host of birds that feed on the orange-red seeds within the fruit casing, thus turning your garden into a natural wildlife haven. Both male and female plants attract

the Acraea horta butterfly which lays its eggs on the underside of the leaves. When the eggs hatch an eruption of black caterpillars appear, which in turn attract insect eating birds, especially cuckoos (look out for Diederik Cuckoos). Some home owners become despondent when the caterpillars attack their plants, and some even resort to using pesticides to keep them at bay! But do not despair if you see caterpillars on this particular plant – this is a natural life-cycle for the tree and it will soon recover with a fresh set of leaves. The Kiggelaria is relatively fast growing, provides excellent screening, and has a sturdy trunk. All in all an excellent choice for the small garden.

Did you know we celebrate Arbor week 30 August to 5 September?

Kiggelaria africana (Wild Peach)

Buddleja saligna (False Olive)

The Buddleja saligna, False Olive, has become one of the most popular indigenous trees in Gauteng, and with good reason. At 1 – 1.5 metres growth per year it is one of the fastest growers on this list. The benefit to the home owner is that this species can reach a height of 3 – 4 metres in just a few years, thus providing excellent screening in the shortest possible time. However, being fast does have its disadvantages. Sometimes the Buddleja can look a bit ‘scruffy’ after a few years, and because the branches are not as strong as other species, they often tend to droop after heavy rains, especially if they are carrying masses of white flowers. Despite these potential drawbacks this is still a wonderful species to choose. Home owners should prune Buddlejas according to the shape they want them to grow – in other words, cut away lower branches to encourage a tree shape. You can even shape it into a hedge if you have the plants at a young age, and an excellent example of this type of pruning can be found in the Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens:

Buddleja saligna (False Olive)

If you allow it to grow into its natural form however you will be rewarded with masses of white flowers which attract a multitude of insects, and it’s not uncommon to see this plant covered in beetles, ants, butterflies and bees during the flowering season. Finally, do not confuse this species with its cousin the Wild Olive (Olea europeae subsp. africana). The latter is a much larger species and generally unsuitable for small gardens. See below links to other tree species, some not suitable for smaller gardens. source: www. groundedlandscaping.co.za

Dais Cotinifolia (Pompon Tree) Apodytes dimidiata (White pear) Pittosporum viridiflorum (Cheesewood) Dombeya rotundifolia (Wild pear) Indigofera jacunda (River Indigo) Heteromorpha arborescens var. abyssinica (Parsley Tree) Bolusanthus speciosus (Tree Wisteria) Olea europaea subsp. africana (Wild Olive) Vachellia/Senegalia (formerly Acacia) sp. Celtis africana (White Stinkwood)

Dais Cotinifolia (Pompon Tree) Apodytes dimidiata (White pear) Pittosporum viridiflorum (Cheesewood) Dombeya rotundifolia (Wild pear) Indigofera jacunda (River Indigo) Heteromorpha arborescens var. abyssinica (Parsley Tree) Bolusanthus speciosus (Tree Wisteria) Olea europaea subsp. africana (Wild Olive) Vachellia/Senegalia (formerly Acacia) sp. Celtis africana (White Stinkwood)