Sign up for Kloof’s ‘treemendous’ project
The cost per tree is R100 and it can be given as a gift, planted as a family legacy or in memory of someone who has passed on.
ONE of the trees on The Kloof Projects planting list is the Warburgia salutaris, or the Pepper Bark tree, and it is the main attraction of the organisation’s Donate and Plant Arbour Day project on Saturday, 5 September.
Although it is not endemic to Kloof in the strict sense, it is indigenous and, with its natural habitat including coastal forest, it does do well here, and can be found in several nurseries across KZN.
“Over many centuries, traditional healers have used different parts of this tree such as the leaves, bark and roots to treat a variety of ailments such as the common cold, clearing of sinuses and malaria. Sadly, due to over collecting by traditional healers, this tree has become extinct in certain areas and is now on the endangered list,” said the Kloof Project’s chairman, Chris Dalzell.
When planted, it forms an extremely attractive evergreen small tree that is ideal for a small property or to hide an ugly wall or fill a gap in a garden. It grows between five to 10 metres in height.
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“Just be warned, if you decide to chew the leaves! They give off an extremely hot, bitter, peppery taste that will leave a burning sensation in your mouth for a few hours. You can also remove pieces of bark that give the same sensation, hence its common name,” said Dalzell.
The Kloof Project will plant at least 80 of these trees among the 200 it has planned for Arbour Day. It invites local residents and businesses to sign up and and join the NPO’s team of dedicated volunteers to celebrate the important greening day.
To adopt a tree to plant in the village, and enjoy in years to come, whether for a gift, a family legacy or ‘In memory of’ someone special who has passed on, book via email at info@thekloofproject.co.za.
A R100 donation to The Kloof Project will secure you a ready-to-plant hole in which you can plant a supplied tree on the morning of the project.
Registration is outside the Kloof Town Hall from 8 to 11 am. Take along a spade and a 2lt plastic bottle filled with water.
Participants are required to wear a mask and adhere to the Covid-19 social distancing protocols.
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