Trees 2010

Since trees, with shrubs, provide a framework for the rest of the plants in your garden, and provide homes and food sources for birds and other wildlife, they need to be carefully selected and placed.  When selecting trees consider the size of your garden and whether you want it to be shady or more open. Remember that a number of indigenous trees are very fast-growing ‘pioneer’ species and will create shady areas even before you expected this to happen. You can obtain beautiful effects by planting different flowering trees next to one another. Also, there is much good advice available on beautiful locally indigenous trees that can replace any ‘invader’ trees in your garden.

Acacia burkei

Black Monkey Thorn

Medium tree, vicious thorns, good for nest sites

Acacia karroo

Sweet Thorn

Fast-growing tree for sun, excellent for wildlife, provides light shade, does not drop thorns, scented yellow balls

Acacia kosiensis

Dune Thorn

Fast-growing tree for sun, good for restoration in dune forest/sandy conditions

Acacia nigrescens

Knob Thorn

Upright flat-topped tree with distinctive knobs on main branches

Acacia nilotica

Scented Thorn

Small flat-topped tree with yellow flowers and scented beaded pods

Acacia robusta

Splendid Acacia

Handsome large tree, fast-growing; scented cream flowers

Acacia sieberiana

Paperbark Thorn

Large flatcrown tree, cream flowers, peeling bark

Acacia xanthophloea

Fever Tree

Tree, sun, yellow bark and flowers, fast-growing, birds.

Adansonia digitata

Baobab

Distinctive African tree, thick trunk, large white flowers, needs hot, dry conditions

Alberta magna

Natal Flame

Rare tree, sun/semi-shade; spectacular red flowers and seeds.

Albizia adianthifolia

Flat-crown

Beautiful, large deciduous tree provides light shade.

Antidesma venosum

Tassel-berry

Small tree, decorative cream flowers, profuse berries on female for birds.

Apodytes dimidiata

Witpeer

Neat tree, shiny leaves, cream scented flowers, red and black fruit, birds.

Atalaya natalensis

Natal Krantz Ash

Medium to tall slender forest tree with 3-winged nut-like fruit

Baphia racemosa

Natal Camwood

Small evergreen tree, beautifully scented, white pea-flowers.

Barringtonia racemosa

Powder-puff Tree

Very attractive tree with scented pompom racemes

Berchemia discolor

Brown Ivory

Handsome small-medium tree; edible, nutritious fruit; birds

Berchemia zeyheri

Red Ivory

Neat, attractive tree with sweet fruit, attracts birds

Bersama lucens

Glossy White Ash

Small tree, 5m, beautiful leaves, red seeds, birds.

Blighia unijugata

Triangle Tops

Beautiful forest tree, unusual fruit. Uncommon.

Brachylaena discolor

Coast Silver Oak

Fast-growing small tree for coastal or windy areas; good hedge.

Bridelia micrantha

Coastal Golden Leaf

Fast-growing, sun, lovely new leaves and autumn colours, birds

Calodendrum capense

Cape Chestnut

Beautiful tall tree, profuse pink flowers, butterflies.

Canthium inerme

Common Turkey-berry

Small tree, edible fruit attracts birds; butterflies

Canthium spinosum

Coastal Canthium

Spiny shrub for semi-shade, edible fruit eaten by birds, barrier plant

Cassine papillosa

Common Saffron

Small tree with distinctive spines on leaf margin; birds

Cavacoa aurea

Natal Hickory

Tree, round crown, profuse yellow flowers. Fluted stem. Rare.

Celtis africana

White Stinkwood

Beautiful large deciduous tree, attracts birds

Chionanthus foveolatus

Common Pock Ironwood

Decorative shiny-leaved small-medium tree, scented flowers; birds

Chionanthus peglerae

Giant Pock Ironwood

Medium to large attractive tree with shiny leaves + fruit for birds

Chrysophyllum viridifolium

Fluted Milkwood

Large forest tree with beautiful fluted stem, rounded crown; birds

Cladostemon kirkii

Tonga-kerrie

Small tree, sun/shade, lovely white flowers, from Zululand

Clerodendrum glabrum

Cat's Whiskers

Small tree, cream-pink flowers, good for butterflies and birds

Combretum erythrophyllum

River Bushwillow

Fast growing tree with lovely autumn foliage, attracts birds, cold-hardy

Combretum kraussii

Forest Bushwillow

Beautiful seasonal foliage, rust-red winged fruits

Combretum zeyheri

Large-fruited Bushwillow

Decorative small tree, yellow autumn leaves; gold winged fruit

Commiphora harveyi

Red-stem Corkwood

Small-medium, sun, deciduous, attractive foliage, peeling bark.

Commiphora marlothii

Paperbark Corkwood

Small-medium tree with braille-like trunk; yellow snapdragon flowers

Cordia caffra

Septee Tree

Small tree, pale bark, fruit for birds

Croton gratissimus

Lavender Croton

Lovely evergreen tree, pretty silvery leaves.

Croton sylvaticus

Forest Feverberry

Decorative deciduous tree, orange fruit, attracts birds.

Curtisia dentata

Assegaai Tree

Medium forest tree with attractive serrated bicoloured leaves

Cussonia natalensis

Rock Cabbage Tree

4-6m tree, very decorative tree, gold autumn leaves

Cussonia sphaerocephala

Forest Cabbage Tree

Fast-growing tall tree; lovely foliage, small, rounded crown.

Cussonia spicata

Cabbage Tree

Medium deciduous tree. Unusual form and foliage.

Cussonia zuluensis

Zulu Cabbage Tree

Small tree, sun/semi-shade, attractive foliage

Dais cotinifolia

Pompon Tree

Small deciduous specimen tree, sun;  profuse pink flowers.

Diospyros lycioides

Blue Bush

Shrub, sun, scented cream flowers, fruit loved by birds.

Diospyros natalensis

Small-leaved Jackal-berry

Small tree, good shape, glossy fine foliage, small orange "acorns" eaten by birds

Dombeya rotundifolia

Wild Pear

Small tree, deciduous, sun, profuse white flowers in spring.

Drypetes arguta

Water Ironplum

Small understorey tree, scented flowers, fruit attracts birds.

Ehretia obtusifolia

Sandpaper Bush

2-5m small tree from Maputaland with arching branches, scented white flowers, edible fruit

Ekebergia capensis

Cape Ash

Large stately deciduous tree, yellow fruits attract birds

Englerophytum natalense

Natal Milkplum

Small-medium tree of the forest understorey, fluted trunk, birds

Ensete ventricosum

African Wild Banana

6m, accent plant, sun/semi, large tropical leaves, moist soil

Erythrina caffra

Coast Coral Tree

Deciduous. Orange flowers in winter. Excellent for birds.

Erythrina latissima

Broad-leaved Coral Tree

Chunky deciduous tree, large rough leaves, corky bark, lovely red flowers, attracts birds

Erythrina livingstoniana

Aloe-flowered Erythrina

Medium-large deciduous tree, with striking aloe-like inflorescences in summer

Erythrina lysistemon

umsinsi

Small-medium tree, deciduous, lovely red flowers, sunbirds.

Euclea crispa

Blue Guarri

Frost-resistant small-medium tree, fruit for birds.

Euclea natalensis

Natal Guarri

Small tree, sun/shade. Dense crown. Lovely scent. Fruit for birds.

Eugenia erythrophylla

Large-leaved Myrtle

Lovely tree with pink new leaves, fruit eaten by birds

Eugenia woodii

Mountain Myrtle

Coastal forest tree with attractive leaves and fruit for birds

Eugenia zuluensis

Paperbark Myrtle

Shade, edible red fruit, birds, screen plant

Euphorbia tirucalli

Rubber Euphorbia

Form tree 6-9m, sun, toxic sap, seeds for birds, repels moles

Ficus abutilifolia

Large-leaved Rock Fig

Sun, well-drained soil, beautiful leaves, tasty fruit, bonsai, birds

Ficus bizanae

Pondo Fig

Large forest tree with buttress roots, good pot plant

Ficus bubu

Swazi Fig

Handsome tree, slightly weeping; large figs off trunk

Ficus glumosa

Mountain Fig

Widespread KZN tree, small-medium, rock-splitter. Great for wildlife.

Ficus ingens

Red-leaved Rock Fig

Medium spreading tree, sun. Beautiful red spring leaves. Birds.

Ficus natalensis

Natal Fig

Large spreading evergreen tree, provides full shade, excellent for wildlife.

Ficus stuhlmannii

Lowveld Fig

Woolly-leaved tree, good for wildlife; potplant

Ficus sur

Broom Cluster Fig

Large tree, beautiful new leaves, fast-growing, good for birds.

Ficus sycomorus

Sycamore Fig

Magnificent tree with yellow trunk, good in a container, excellent for wildlife

Ficus thonningii

Common Wild Fig

Medium tree, dense leafy crown provides good shade, birds

Ficus trichopoda

Swamp Fig

Beautiful tree for damp soil; attractive red-veined leaves; good indoors when young.

Galpinia transvaalica

Wild Pride-of-India

Beautiful small tree from northern KZN, masses of white flowers. Good container plant

Garcinia gerrardii

Forest Mangosteen

Shrub to tree, shade; beautiful red new leaves. Fruit for birds.

Garcinia livingstonei

African Mangosteen

Small chunky tree with beautiful bluish foliage, red new leaves, tasty fruit

Halleria lucida

Tree Fuchsia

Small tree, orange flowers, excellent for birds.

Harpephyllum caffrum

Wild Plum

Tall evergreen tree, handsome, fast-growing; dramatic trunk; birds.

Heteromorpha trifoliata

Parsley Tree

Narrow crown, shiny copper stems, yellow to red autumn leaves

Heteropyxis natalensis

Lavender Tree

Small tree, attractive, neat shape. Shiny, scented leaves used in potpourri.

Heywoodia lucens

Stink-ebony

Tall, fast-growing tree with dense crown, flaky bark, wood smells when cut

Hibiscus tiliaceus

Wild Cotton Tree

Small tree, fast-growing; beautiful yellow flowers that fade to orange.

Ilex mitis

African Holly

Handsome tree for a damp spot, scented flowers, fruit for birds

Inhambanella henriquesii

Milk Pear

Tall forest tree, beautiful red new leaves, tasty fruit.

Kigelia africana

Sausage Tree

Handsome tree with dark red flowers and decorative fruit

Kiggelaria africana

Wild Peach

Small-medium tree, sun/semi, birds & butterflies.

Loxostylis alata

Tierhout

Smallish tree for sun/shade with attractive foliage and red/white flowers

Maesa lanceolata

False Assegaai

Small tree, sun, scented small white flowers, fruit for birds

Manilkara discolor

Forest Milkberry

Medium tree with attractive leaves, delicious fruit; birds

Margaritaria discoidea

Peacock-berry

Tree with flaking bark and fruit for birds

Millettia grandis

umsimbithi

Graceful small-medium tree, pretty mauve flowers and velvet seedpods.

Mimusops caffra

Coastal Red Milkwood

Decorative tree with dense foliage and red tasty fruit, attracts birds

Mimusops obovata

Red Milkwood

Small-medium evergreen tree; can grow near dunes; fruit for birds.

Nuxia floribunda

Forest Elder

Small-medium tree, sun/semi. Masses of scented white flowers.

Ocotea bullata

Stinkwood

Tall forest tree, attractive foliage, purple fruit eaten by birds, now rare.

Olea africana

Wild Olive

Small-medium neat tree, sun, edible fruit attracts birds.

Olea woodiana

Forest Olive

Attractive shape and dark, glossy foliage, fruit for birds

Olinia emarginata

Natal Hard Pear

Very decorative medium-tall tree, frost-resistant, bright red fruit; birds

Oxyanthus speciosus

Wild Loquat

Small tree, shade, scented white flowers

Pappea capensis

Jacket-plum

Small-medium tree, yellow flowers, tasty fruit, birds, butterflies

Peltophorum africanum

Weeping Wattle

Small deciduous tree with fine leaves and lovely yellow flowers

Pittosporum viridiflorum

Cheesewood

Small tree, sun/shade, cream-yellow flowers. Red jelly-seeds for birds.

Podocarpus falcatus

Outeniqua Yellowwood

Beautiful, classic tall tree, sun/shade. Birds.

Podocarpus henkelii

Natal Yellowwood

Lovely upright tree with glossy dark foliage, attracts birds

Podocarpus latifolius

Real Yellowwood

Lovely upright tree with dense green foliage, attracts birds

Protorhus longifolia

Red Beech

Large tree with some red leaves; purple fruit for birds

Prunus africana

Red Stinkwood

Handsome tall weeping tree; fruit eaten by birds

Pseudosalacia streyi

Pondo Rock-lemon

Small tree, shade, horizontal branching, endangered

Psydrax obovata

Quar

Attractive glossy-leaved medium tree in coastal forest, good for birds

Ptaeroxylon obliquum

Sneezewood

Deciduous tree with lovely autumn foliage and scented cream-yellow flowers. Swallowtail butterflies.

Rapanea melanophloeos

Boekenhout

Small-medium decorative tree, profuse small purple fruit attracts birds

Rauvolfia caffra

Quinine Tree

Decorative shiny-leaved tree for damp areas.  Attracts birds and butterflies.

Rawsonia lucida

Forest Peach

Small forest tree, shade, attractive foliage, butterflies.

Rhus chirindensis

Red Currant

Lovely tree with attractive leaves and profuse berries that attract birds

Rinorea angustifolia

White Violet-bush

2-7m, shade, sprays of scented white teardrops

Rothmannia capensis

Cape Gardenia

Medium tree, sun/semi-shade. Lovely large, scented cream flowers

Rothmannia fischeri

Woodland Rothmannia

Shrub or small tree with lovely large, scented, speckled cream flowers

Salix mucronata

Natal Willow

Small riverine tree, cream flowers, woolly seeds

Schefflera umbellifera

False Cabbage Tree

Medium upright tree in damp situations, spectacular white flowers

Schotia afra

Karoo boer-bean

Small tree, E Cape, sun, deep red flowers, birds.

Schotia brachypetala

Weeping Boer-bean

Beautiful deciduous tree with lovely red flowers that attract sunbirds. Bonsai.

Sclerocarya birrea

Marula

Deciduous tree with tasty fruit, attracts birds

Scolopia mundii

Red Pear

Tall tree, shiny leaves, scented flowers,edible fruit; birds

Scolopia zeyheri

Thorn Pear

Attractive forest and margin tree with glossy waxy leaves, woody spines and red berries for birds

Sideroxylon inerme

White Milkwood

Small-medium evergreen tree; can grow near dunes; fruit for birds.

Smodingium argutum

Rainbow-leaf

Small tree, attractive leaves, cream flowers, drooping habit. Sap causes blisters - good barrier plant.

Spirostachys africana

Tamboti

Attractive deciduous tree, good for wildlife; beautiful wood. Poisonous.

Strychnos gerrardii

Gulagula

Attractive medium to tall tree with decorative edible round fruit

Strychnos spinosa

Spiny Monkey Orange

Small spiny tree, large woody fruit that has delicious pulp.

Suregada zanzibariensis

Sand Canary-berry

Small decorative tree, in light shade, birds.

Syzygium cordatum

Water Berry

Large tree for damp coastal areas, cream flowers, birds eat fruit

Syzygium gerrardii

Forest Water Berry

Large tree, attractive shiny reddish new leaves, cream flowers, birds

Tabernaemontana elegans

Toad Tree

Small tree, shade, scented white flowers, large warted fruit, attracts birds

Tabernaemontana ventricosa

Forest Toad Tree

Smallish attractive tree for shade, scented starry white flowers, toad-like fruit for birds

Tarchonanthus camphoratus

Wild Camphor Bush

Small, bushy shrub, flowers look like snow

Teclea gerrardii

Zulu Cherry-Orange

Neat, decorative small-medium forest tree, attracts birds and butterflie

Teclea natalensis

Natal Cherry-orange

A small-medium tree with fruit for birds, attracts swallowtail butterflies

Terminalia phanerophlebia

Lebombo Cluster-leaf

3-6m, sun, beautiful layered branching pattern, pink winged seeds

Terminalia sericea

Silver Cluster-leaf

Medium tree. silver foliage, horizontal branching, pink winged fruit

Toddaliopsis bremekampii

Wild Mandarin

6m, sun/shade, cream flowers, birds eat fruit; butterflies

Trema orientalis

Pigeonwood

Very fast-growing small-medium tree, light crown, attracts birds

Tricalysia lanceolata

Jackal-coffee

Small tree, sun/shade, scented cream flowers; leaves for the vase; birds

Trichilia dregeana

Forest Mahogany

Large stately tree, provides full shade, attracts birds, good indoor plant when young

Trimeria grandifolia

Wild Mulberry

Small forest tree with attractive round leaves

Turraea floribunda

Wild Honeysuckle Tree

Small-medium tree, beautifully scented cream flowers, attracts birds and butterflies

Vangueria infausta

Natal Wild Medlar

Chunky small tree with nutritious edible fruit, brings birds.

Vepris lanceolata

White Ironwood

Attractive, neat tree. Birds and butterflies.

Voacanga thouarsii

Wild Frangipani

Beautiful tree, scented cream flowers, large fruit for birds, damp soil

Warburgia salutaris

Pepper-bark Tree

Small tree, sun/semi, glossy leaves, over-harvested for traditional medicine

Ziziphus mucronata

Buffalo Thorn

Shiny-leaved spiny tree excellent for wildlife