The Department of Architecture, University of Pretoria, joined hands with the landscape industry and the City of Tshwane, Department of Environment and Agriculture Management, on Friday, September 13th, at the Fountains Valley Resort, Pretoria.

Friday the 13th wasn't all doom and gloom for the Landscape Architecture students, lecturers (prof Ida Breed, Dr Jan Hugo, Dr Dayle Shand and Ketla Madileng) and industry partners (Libra landscapes) as we celebrated Arbor month in collaboration with the City of Tshwane team Environmental and Agriculture Management (Mrs Wamkele Thobane from Environmental Education and Awareness led the process, together with her director Mrs Elizabeth Moatse) and Parks Department (Director Ntokozo Xaba) at Fountains Valley resort. The day aimed to plant 50 Celtis africana (White stinkwood) trees, replace the old and dead trees, and restore the forest area that naturally occurred at the Fountains Valley. The Valley is the perfect location for the White Stinkwood as it thrives where there are streams and underground water.

The City is in the process of reforesting the Groenkloof Nature Reserve and the Fountains Valley Resort; over and above the heritage and ecological importance the urban forest renders, the forest further serves as a green lung to mitigate against the pollution resulting from the daily traffic congestion in the inner city. Trees are also the most effective means of carbon sequestration. The reforestation project has been selected as one of the Build Up Projects towards Arbor Month - September 2024.

Participants were encouraged to name the trees they planted. The names ranged from children's names to nature-based names and indigenous names. We hope that future nature relationships will be as strong as the trees as visitors come and enjoy this nature area in the city and find their trees growing strong.

Fun facts about Celtis africana:

The white Stinkwood is a protected tree in SA. Its common name comes from the unpleasant smell it oozes when it is first cut. A Celtis tree can grow up to 2m per year when it gets sufficient water. The small yellow flowers attract birds and insects and make it an amazing nesting tree.

Some medicinal benefits of the White stinkwood include treating sore eyes, fever, headaches and chest pains.

Africana vs sinensis. What's the difference:

C. africana has a smooth pale-grey bark striking in winter and indigenous to South Africa. The leaves are hairy with a serrated edge. The small yellow flowers are followed by small edible round fruit, which turn yellow when ripe. Due to its compact form, this tree is the perfect shade tree for parking lots and school gardens and makes an incredible bonsai.

C. sinensis, on the other hand, is a faster grower with a large spreading habit but originates from China. The leaves of the Chinese nettle tree are oval glossy and hairy on the underside, and only serrated toward the apex of the leaf. The small, green flowers briefly appear in Spring to make way for the round burnt orange fruit. The bark is rougher than our Stinkwood, with superficial grooves and furrows that widen toward the tree's base.

Both trees are excellent soil stabilisers with vigorous root systems. They shouldn't be planted close to buildings and significant servitudes. They are also tolerant of urban pollution. However, residents should give preference to the native and Indigenous C. africana!

Go out there and plant more C. africana to encourage local biodiversity!