Palmiet Cemetery just outside Kleinmond, got a bit greener on Thursday, 25 March 2021, when 50 Syzygium guineene (Waterpear) trees were planted to help create a tranquil atmosphere at the new cemetery.
Trees were also planted at Kleinmond Primary and die Barakke. The trees were kindly donated by the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF) and more trees will be planted at the Kleinmond Rugby Field, at Palmiet Caravan Park and at the Etienne Olifant project.
According to Ward 9 Councillor, Grant Cohen, they really do appreciate the donation and promised to take good care of the trees. By planting one tree, we are expressing positive thoughts and hope…even if we are not there tomorrow, our trees will be there.
He thanked Overstrand Municipality’s horticulturist, Lauren Rainbird, Dencil Arendse and the rest of the Parks Department for the great help.
Although the Municipality celebrates International Arbour Month in September and encourages people of all ages to plant trees during this month-long celebration of trees, the Overstrand Municipality plants the bulk of its trees during the cooler months of autumn in time for the winter rainfall season. In doing this the trees have a far better chance of establishing themselves before the drier summer months.
According to the Tree Policy, the following trees are well adopted to our area:
- Curtisia Dentata (assegai/assegaai)
- Cunonia Capensis (red alder/rooi els)
- Harpephyllum Caffrum (sour plum/suurpruim)
- Kiggelaria Africana (wild peach/wilde perske)
- Nuxia Floribunda (forest elder/bosvlier)
- Olea Europaea Subsp. Africana (wild olive/olienhout)
- Rhus Lancea (sweet karee/swartkaree)
- Rhus Pendulina (river karee/witkaree)
- Sideroxylon Inerme (milkwood/melkhout)
- Syzygium Guineense (water pear/waterpeer)
- Tarchonanthus Littoralis (coastal champhor bush/kus wildekanferbos)
- Trichelia Emetica (natal mahogany/rooi essenhout)
The Tree Policy can be viewed on the Municipality’s website – www.overstrand.gov.za by clicking on Documents, then Policies.
