Circle: South Western Disricts
Branch: STILL BAY
Portfolio: Landbou
Convenor: Ronell van Zyl
Reporter: Carol Scott
Each each year 2 trees are named the Trees of Year. One being rare and the other being more well known.
The Rare Tree is the Tambotie Tree – Scientific name is Spirostachys Africana.
The more common tree is the Milkwood Tree – scientific name being Sideroxylon Interme.
TAMBOTI TREE
The Tamboti Tree is a medium sized deciduous tree with a clear straight trunk, the bark is rough and black. These trees are found in the warmer parts of Southern Africa which include Kruger National Park, parts of Limpopo and the Pilansberg.
Tamboti tree is a good source of food for animals. Large animals such as elephant, giraffe and black rhino feed on the fresh leaves and shoots, Antelope eat both fresh and fallen leaves, monkeys and insects feed on the fruit and leaves. The wood is used for making furniture, however cutting the wood needs to be done with care as the sawdust can cause eye irritation. The wood can be burnt, but the smoke is very poisonous and toxic to a human being and can cause severe stomach upsets.
MILKWOOD TREE
The milkwood tree is well known in Still Bay. It is also found in the coastal woodland forest of southern and eastern Africa. In South Africa the Cape Province.
The milkwood tree is an endangered species, which means it may not be damaged or chopped down. Its generic name means ”Iron-wood” in Greek, as the timber is very hard. The timber is used for building bridges and boats.
This tree is a slow-growing twisting tree with dark green, rubbery green leaves. It becomes between 10 to 15 meters in height and has a sturdy trunk which can reach 600mm in diameter. It is an ideal protection space for animals, especially when the “muggies” appear in our area. The tree flowers during December and February, thereafter little black berries are formed. The flowers have a very strong unpleasant smell. The speckled mouse birds eat the flowers and other bird species; bats and monkeys eat the berries.
These can be planted as a natural firebreak to protect your house and property.
There are some historical aspects of the Milkwood tree:
- One milkwood tree is found in Mossel Bay , in the grounds of the Bartholomeu Dias Museum Complex. The tree is estimated to be 600 years old and is known as the post office tree. The Portuguese soldiers tied a letter in a shoe to the tree during the 1500’s.
- The other historic Milkwood tree is known as the Treaty Tree and is estimated to be over 500 years old. This tree has been a silent witness to many historic events and was declare a national monument in 1967.
- Historic events that took place are the Battle of Salt River where 64 Portuguese men were killed by the Khoikhoi Clan as they attempted to raid the clan’s cattle.
- Battle of Blaauberg – on 10 January 1806 a treaty was signed by LT Col Baron von Prophalov transferring the Batavian Government to the commanders of the British Government Forces, Major General Sir David Baird and Commondore Sir Home Poham
- Closer to home, Still Bay has a special Milkwood Tree called ‘Langbos se Oupa’ which can be found in the Langbos Forest on a farm belonging to the Kleinhans Famly and is known one of the 75 champion trees in South Africa. The tree is estimated to be over 1000 years old.
Post Office Tree – Mossel Bay
Still Bay Milkwood Tree
Tamboti Tree in the Kruger park
The treaty tree – Milkwood