The theme for this year is “Forests and People: Investing in a Sustainable Future”.
National Arbor Week, which is celebrated from September 1 to 7, intends to:
* Raise awareness of South Africa’s urban and rural greening initiatives.
* Promote a better understanding of trees, particularly indigenous trees and fruit trees.
* Highlight the important role that trees play in the sustainable development and livelihoods of people and their environment.
* Highlight the role of trees in creating employment, especially in rural areas.
* Highlight the role of fruit trees in addressing food security when integrated with other programmes.
* Encourage communities to participate in various greening activities within their own surroundings.
The 2015 trees of the year are the forest bushwillow (Combretum kraussii) and the parsley tree (Heteromorpha arborescens).
Plant a tree and make a difference
It is that time of the year to grab a shovel and plant a tree for Arbor Week
![](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/126/2015/09/parsley-tree.jpg)