Trees for the Fisherhaven area

Over the years many invasive trees and shrubs have been planted in the Fisherhaven area. Especially pines, which when mature shed millions of seeds, many of which have germinated in the green areas (thousands removed in 2019 – 2020). A pamphlet on the most invasive plants was produced in 2020. Many gardens have Australian Myrtle hedges planted. Legally Australian Myrtle is a declared weed which has to be removed. Some gardens even have mature Port Jacksons growing in them, another Australian noxious weed. On the other hand there are some beautiful gardens with indigenous plants and some non invasive alien trees or trees not indigenous to this area of the country.

A list of suitable, indigenous trees for the Fisherhaven area was compiled by Bruce Bayer. This not an exhaustive list, but a good selection. Many of pictures come from Wikipedia, thanks to them. More details of the tree species below can be found there.

1.       Apodytes dimidiatus, Wild Pear

3.       Diospyros whyteana, Bladder nut

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5.       Kiggelaria africana, Wild Peach

7.       Podocarpus latifolius, Yellowwood

9.       Harpehyllum caffrum, Wild plum

11.   Vepris lanceolata, Wild ironwood

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13.   Vachellia (Acacia) xanthophloea, Fevertree

15.   Syzigium cordatum, Waterberry

17.   Erythrina caffra, Coral tree

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19.   Buddleja saligna, False olive

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21. Sideroxylon inerme, White milkwood

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23.   Loxostylis alata, Tarwood

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25.   Olea europaea subsp. africana, Wild olive

27.   Halleria lucida, Tree fuschia

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29.   Kigelia Africana, Sausage tree

2.       Tarconanthus camphoratus, Wild Camphor

4.       Grewia occidentalis, Cross-berry

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6.       Schotia brachypetala, Boerboon

8.       Eckebergia capensis, Cape Ash

10.   Carissa macrocarpa, Martingulu or Natal Plum

12.   Vachellia (Acacia) karoo, Sweetthorn

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14.   Vachellia (Acacia) siberiana var.woodii, Flatcrown

16.   Syzigium guineense, Highveld Waterberry

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18.   Rhus lancea, Karee tree

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20.   Buddleja salvifolia, Sage bush

22.   Celtis Africana, White stinkwood

24.   Dais cotonifolia, Pompom

26.   Nuxia floribunda, Forest elder

28.   Ilex mitis, Cape holly

30.   Rhus pendulina, River karee/witkaree

In Fisherhaven many areas have very shallow soils. Digging a large hole into heavy clay or sub-layer through which water will not penetrate may kill your tree by waterlogging it. It would be better to create a mound with additional soil to plant your tree on. Soil quality is often a problem, very low nutrient content. To alleviate waterlogging and poor nutrient it might be better dig a trench for drainage and add lots of organic matter and long term phosphates. Successful tree planting requires some protection from exposure and especially wind damage. This is a very dry area in general and generally rainfall is not sufficient to grow trees. Usually this is not a major problem with strategic watering. Remember that rain falling on rooves, hardened driveways and roads will run off, position your trees to be able to use this water. Remember that most of our rain comes in the winter and most trees grow best in the dry summer months, hence the need for additional water at this time.

Trees in the Fisherhaven area require some mothering, especially to get them established. However, they are well worth a little effort, provide shade, store lots of carbon and well established trees are great to look at.