Chumasande MatiwaneFrom their vibrant leaves to their vital role in the environment, these deciduous trees are the country’s treasures.
Their seasonal transformations are a sight to behold. These stunning native trees not only provide shade but also support the unique ecosystem in South Africa.
4 Deciduous trees to look out for:
1. The Buffalo thorn tree
Blooming from October to April each year, these trees can grow up to 17 meters tall when fully matured. The leaves are silver grey to green, giving them the name shiny leaves. The trees shed a few of their leaves around the winter months.
The complexity of the trees’ thorns makes them an effective border barrier for your yard. They are also fruit-bearing trees, fruiting from February until April, when shedding is about to begin.
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2. Baobab trees
All baobab trees are deciduous shedding annually. This tree’s unique appearance gets even elevated when the leaves have fallen off. The tree looks like it has been planted upside down when its leaves have been shed. Its finger-like branches spread like roots on the ground. These old trees are believed to be in existence for over 3000 years.
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3. The mopane tree
When most are introduced to the mopane tree, the first thing that springs to mind is the mopane worm, which feeds on these trees. One of the unique characteristics of these trees is that they like to grow in groves, meaning they stick together, often creating a mopane forest.
They are part of the deciduous trees of South Africa, which means they lose their leaves in wintertime after showcasing a splendid show of green to gold-ish leaves.
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4. Marula tree
Most well-known as the fruit-bearing trees that drive elephants mad when their fruits drop to the ground. They are deciduous trees growing up to a height of 18 m tall. Not only are they fruit-bearing but also nut-bearing and are rich in minerals and vitamins. They start producing their flowers from September to November and bear their fruits from January to March.
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Deciduous trees are vital to the environment and gardeners should invest in planting a few in their gardens or yards.
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