Ekurhuleni is celebrating their tree of the year, the Cape ash
As part of National Arbour Month, the City of Ekurhuleni is celebrating the Cape ash tree, Ekebergia Capensis.
Community participation is at the centre of the City’s commemoration of National Arbour Month, mainly through activities such as planting memorial trees and observing celebration of the chosen tree of the year.
The Cape ash is an evergreen tree that grows to a height of around 15m. In South Africa it is mostly found in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, but grows in a number of different habitats. In favourable conditions, the tree flower is visible every year but in other localities they may only flower once every few years.
The Cape ash can be recognised by a rough light-grey to almost black bark, with few buttress roots at the base. The tree tends to produce sweetly scented small white flowers borne at the tips of the branches.
According to the City’s environmental officer, Alugumi Makushu, the best way to plant any tree, including the Cape ash, is to create enough insulation and sufficient watering for quick results.
