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How do I grow my own trees? Afrikaans | Xhosa

Click to enlarge!		 If a farmer wants to plant trees on a large scale, but is far from a nursery, it could be worth his while to grow the trees himself. If he intends to do this, he must first find a suitable site for the nursery.
  • The site must be reasonably level, well drained, and close to a permanent source of water.
  • The nursery must also be close to a source of good soil or growth medium.

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  • The nursery must be well sheltered against wind, and not be too much exposed to heat and frost.
  • The nursery site must be fenced to keep animals out.

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  • In areas where hail occurs, the nursery must be protected by nets, wire netting, 

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or horizontal latticework.

Click to enlarge!		 The growth medium may consist of soil, rotted sawdust, crushed pine needles, bark or peanut hulls. Sandy-loam soil with a light texture and a reasonable humus content, is most suitable. The soil must preferably be sterilised with methyl bromide so as to get rid of fungi, weeds and insects.

The farmer can gather the seeds himself or order them from the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, P.O. Box 727, Pretoria. Some seeds need to be treated in order for them to germinate. Seeds of some species, such as the acacia, have hard shells and must first be soaked in hot water, at a temperature just below boiling point. Other seeds, such as the acorn types, have to be sown as soon as possible after they have ripened. The fleshy parts of seeds often prevent them from germinating and must first be removed.

Click to enlarge!		 Other factors that may prevent seeds from germinating, is their receiving too much or too little water, soil that is not moist enough, or seed that is too deep under the soil. Seed can be sown to a depth of approximately twice its diameter, that is, not more than 2 to 5 mm below the soil surface.

Can trees be grown from cuttings? Yes, most definitely. Cuttings must be cut from below and above the bottom and top buds or shoots.

Suggestions for the prevention of pests and diseases in the nursery:

  • Sterilise the soil.
  • Do not sow the seed too densely.
  • Do not water the seedlings at the hottest time of the day.
  • Do not give the plants too much water.
  • The soil must be well drained.
  • Remove diseased plants and destroy them.
  • Avoid the use of fresh manure or compost.

S Steyn
ELSENBURG / WESTERN CAPE forestry extension