Celtis milbraedii at Sibudu Cave

Celtis milbraedii at Sibudu Cave

A Celtis Mildbraedii clings precariously to the edge at Sibudu Cave, near Tongaat.  Here, perhaps far distant from the next of its species, it marks the point at which enough rain can get past the overhang to sustain plant life.  One wonders if its relative dryness means that the tree is truly ancient.  In the sediments close by, we have traces of at least 80 000 years of human history.

Crispin Hemson

Yellowwood, Podocarpus falcatus, St. Mary's Drive Kloof, with WESSA tree label

Fluted Milkwood, Chrysophyllum viridifolium, umGwinya

About 20 years ago, when I first saw this tree in Pigeon Valley, on the northern side, I thought it was about to fall down, because it had been almost completely hollowed out.  It still stands proudly, after wind and torrential rain.
Crispin Hemson

Welcome to the blog! Celebrate Durban's trees

iziHlahla zeTheku: Durban Celebrates Trees is a project to celebrate our trees, record them, and to encourage commitment to their preservation.

We invite you to take a photo of your favourite tree, give its names (scientific, English, Afrikaans, isiZulu names - at least one of these), take its GIS position if possible, and tell us why you love it, and any other information you would like to appear.  Send your photo and description to mvemvane@gmail.com (Margaret Burger).

This is a project launched on 10th March 2012 by the Durban Branch of WESSA.