The Hermanus Botanical Society are working with Overberg Arborists on a project to propagate from trees in the botanical gardens at the entrance of the Fernkloof Nature Reserve, using a non-invasive air layering process.

Air layering is a method of propagating new trees and shrubs from stems still attached to the parent plant.

Hikers and people visiting the gardens, may notice little tin foil parcels hanging from some of the fruiting trees. The arborists are hopeful that in three months’ time, they will have grown a root ball so that the twig or small branch can then be transplanted and grown.

Successes will be shared with the stakeholders at the end of the process on a 50/50 basis. The new sprouts can be used in the Nursery or in the Garden.

Mary Ann Verster of the Hermanus Botanical Society said this project will be part of their work on the conservation and propagation of trees which is a significant target for accreditation of the Botanical Gardens.

A sign will be put up to ask people not to touch the tin foil parcels.