In this issue - NCT Forestry Co

Nº 67 • AUGUST 2008
N E W S
&
V I E W S • August 2008
In
this
issue
AGM review
•
2008 Tree
Farmers of the
Year
•
Genetics vs
fertilisation
•
Recognition for
long serving
members
FSC Supplier
SGS-FM/COC-0348
FSC Trademark © 1996
Forest Stewardship
Council A.C.
FSC certified: 80 000ha.
According to FSC
principles and criteria
1
L I N K I N G
I N D E P E N D E N T
T I M B E R
G R O W E R S
T O
M A R K E T S
N E W S
&
V I E W S • August 2008
PO Box 277, Ixopo 3276,
Tel: 039 834 1953,
Fax: 039 834 1972
Email:
[email protected]
Now available on order:
•
•
•
•
E.grandis
E.nitens
P.patula
P.elliottii
• E.dunnii
• E.smithii
• A.mearnsii (Wattle)
M128; M128D; M98 Tray options
We now supply
• ZEBA Super absorbant
• Indigenous Seedlings & Trees
For more information, prices or
an advisory visit, please don’t hesitate
to contact us.
Accredited Member
Seedlings Growers
Association of SA
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N E W S
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AGM Review
N
growers was commended.
• The uncertainty created by land claims,
threatened expropriation and the new Cooperatives’ Act was also addressed.
In his marketing report, General Manager,
Patrick Kime, presented a positive picture on
international and local trends:
• Woodchips are being traded globally at record
levels. In 2007, 31 million tonnes were traded
internationally, 7% up on the previous year.
• There have been steady price increases over the
last five years with upward trends predicted for
the future.
• The domestic market shows signs of a strong
demand from local pulp and paper companies.
• With the strong demand for commodities, the
recovery of the mining timber markets looks
positive.
• The demand for saw timber, poles and board
has been exceptional up until the recent interest
rate hikes when production suddenly slowed
down.
• The rising costs of road and rail transport
remains a challenge in the industry.
The meeting closed with an address by Chris
Mkhize, CEO of the Uthungulu Community
Foundation who spoke on the challenges,
employment creation and opportunities in the
forestry sector.
CT reflected good results for the 2007
financial year, reporting R811 million
in turnover, a 7,7% increase over last
year. This was reported at its Annual
General meeting for members held in Richards
Bay recently.
The Co-operative achieved a R35 million net
profit before tax compared to R10,8 million in the
previous year. This translates to over 1,9 million
tonnes of timber marketed on behalf of members
in the year under review.
Although volumes supplied were down from
previous years, the Co-operative received higher
returns from its wood chipping mills.
In his address to members, Chairman, Dr Carl
Seele highlighted a number of issues:
• The importance of a collective marketing cooperative. To remain in a position of strength
during cycles of under- and over-supply, NCT
needed the support of members to protect
long-term interests.
• The good performance of NCT’s wood chipping
facilities was attributed to the quality of
management at these mills and to the discipline
and support of its suppliers.
• The status of Pulp United. A decision will be
taken at the end of September whether to go
ahead or not with the project.
• The outstanding commitment of NCT’s black
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N E W S
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NCT’s 59 Annual Gener
th
R i c h a r d s
B a y
Reg Niebuhr (l) (outgoing NCT director), Peter Keyworth & Arthur Daugherty
(former NCT director)
Richards Bay District Manager,
Frans Badenhorst (l) and Len Liversage of
Haig’s Mower & Chainsaw Centre
Elphas Mpenza (l) & Zwelibanzi Mncadi
(2006 Tree Farmer of the Year)
Guest speaker, Chris Mkhize (l)
and NCT Director, Norman Sibetha
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N E W S
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al Meeting
David Earl (l), Jonathan Crowe, Martin Hill
& last year’s Tree Farmer of the Year, Ralph
Dobeyn
T R I B U T E
T O
PETER KEYWORTH
W
e bid farewell to Peter Keyworth who takes a well-earned
break from NCT. Peter retires after 22 years’ service at
NCT. Although he has agreed to be available to NCT,
when required, it is fitting to acknowledge his many achievements.
At this year’s AGM, Chairman, Carl Seele, paid tribute to Peter
and expressed gratitude and admiration for his intuitive and astute
business qualities.
“We thank you for the very clear and uncluttered understanding
you had of how a co-operative should operate and what the benefits
were of a co-operative structure. We thank you for your strong and
effective leadership and for your ability to choose and employ high
calibre staff. Having worked together with you for many years, I
think gratefully of the many challenges we faced and how so many
of our dreams eventually became reality,” said Carl.
“Without your ability, without your perseverance and above all
without the high regard and trust that people have in you, NCT
would not be part of ShinCel, NCT would not have a chipping plant
in Durban and NCT would not be seriously looking at a joint venture
pulping project,” he concluded.
Peter joined NCT in September 1985 as Projects Manager. He
was appointed General Manager in January 1989 to April 2004;
from May 2004, Peter took up the position of General Manager,
Special Projects mainly dealing with the Pulp United Project.
Bhekinkosi Chili (l), Noonthi Mkanibi,
Sethukeni Mandla, Gamba Mbekwa
Chris Mkhize (l), Nelson Mbuyazi,
Temba Fakazi & Silas Cele
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N E W S
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2008 TREE FARM
I
Tree Farmers of the year (from left), Mthukeni Mbuyazi
& Ian Hill with NCT Chairman, Carl Seele
Sponsors, Len Liversage (Haig’s Mower & Chainsaw
Centre) (l) & Hayden Hutton (Stihl Pietermaritzburg)
6
an Hill and Mthukeni Mbuyazi received
this year’s NCT Tree Farmers of the
Year award.
Ian won in the category of a farm
managed on privately-owned land and
Mthukeni in the category of a farm
managed on communal land.
The winners were recognised for their
exceptional silviculture and management
practices applied on their farms and
environmental and social contributions to
areas in which they operate.
Hill Forestry is made up of three farms
outside Greytown. This family business has
been in operation for three generations,
since Ian’s great-grandfather bought a
farm in Seven Oaks in 1910.
In 1928, Ian’s grandfather moved to
Greytown and purchased the farm Bracken
which formed the foundation for the very
successful Bracken Timber operations.
In the 1950’s, Springkloof Farm was
purchased and in 1962 Ian’s father took
over the farm; this was the start of the
current Hill Forestry operation which has
expanded to 1 377ha in extent, with about
1 110ha of commercial plantations; the
remaining 267ha is made up of grassland,
riparian areas and infrastructure.
A notable feature of the operation is
the diversification of species grown and
products produced for various markets:
Eucalyptus (E. dunnii, E. grandis and
E. smithii) grown for poles and pulp-wood;
wattle is grown for bark, pulp-wood and
charcoal; while pine (P. patula and
P. elliottii) is sold as saw-logs (structural
and industrial) and pulp-wood.
Ian has been creative in managing
his farm with many innovations in
management systems and equipment. A
few examples include labour management
and tasking systems; a unique planting
system devised to ensure maximum
N E W S
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eRS OF THE YEAR
seedling survival and modified harvesting
equipment to ensure cost effective extraction
of timber. Even his grassland management is
designed to generate some income for the farm.
He buys in cattle in autumn to graze on open grass
areas which reduces fuel load. This in turn assists
in reducing risk when burning these areas or
reducing risk in areas that are to remain un-burnt.
The cattle are sold at the end of winter, hopefully
at a healthy profit.
Multiple resource utilisation extends into his
timber business where ‘waste-wood’ is burnt
in kilns to produce charcoal for export. Thatchgrass, building poles, fencing material and honey
production are other examples of maximising
resource utilisation.
Ian employs 140 workers, 50 of whom live on
the farm and the remaining 90 are sourced from
a neighbouring tribal authority area. The farm
provides a crèche, primary schooling, transport,
incentive schemes and an innovative HIV/Aids
support programme for the workers. Ian’s sense of
community extends beyond the farm boundaries;
he has recently served a two-year term as
president of the local farmers’ association. Under
his guidance the association has grown from 30 to
80 members.
Grasslands and riparian areas are carefully
managed for conservation purposes. An extensive
valley clearing programme has been implemented
to remove all commercial timber from riparian
areas and numerous examples of rehabilitated
valleys are visible. A rotational burning system is
implemented in all areas that have predominantly
grass cover.
A dedicated crew and herbicide trailer ensure
that weeds are controlled.
The Hill Forestry operation is an outstanding
example of how to maximise the productivity of a
forestry management unit without compromising
on environmental and social standards.
In the category of farm managed on communal
land, Mthukeni Mbuyazi from the Kwambonambi
Tribal Authority was acknowledged for his loyalty
to the co-operative and management practices on
his land.
With no formal forestry training, Mthukeni
began timber farming in 1982 and became a fulltime timber farmer three years later. He joined NCT
as a contractor in 1986 and became a member in
2001. He manages 32,8ha of timber planted to
Eucalyptus. He employs six women on a full-time
basis with a number of contractors from the local
community.
Apart from managing his own timber plantation,
he is also contracted to a “grower” programme
where he assists in educating other small-scale
growers on methods used to manage timber
farms.
Experience has taught Mthukeni that the
correct specie selection and site matching is key
to sustainable forestry operations. His ability to
manage his plantations in rotation with limited
resources stood him head and shoulders above
other nominees. He is a reliable and loyal member
and supplies all his annual sustainable timber
through the co–op.
Mthukeni shows his community spirit by helping
the needy and his employees. He offers them free
seedlings and allows them to plant vegetables next
to his compartments to ensure food security.
The Tree Farmer of the Year awards were
initiated in 2000 to recognise members who
display excellence in sustainable forestry practices.
Each winner received a Stihl chain-saw sponsored
by Haig’s Mower & Chainsaw Centre (Empangeni)
and Stihl Pietermaritzburg.
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N E W S
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Woodchip
Corner
NCT Durban Wood Chips and ShinCel were
hosts to two woodchipping vessels on their
maiden voyages to South Africa earlier this
year.
The Hokuetsu uShaka and Hokuetsu Ibis are
new additions to a fleet of nine vessels chartered
by Hokuetsu Paper Mills. They are specifically
built to transport wood chips and can each load
up to 46 000 tonnes of wood chips.
Their arrival at the Ports of Durban and
Richards Bay respectively was celebrated in true
Japanese style. The Kamawigari ceremony was
performed on both occasions where a barrel
of sake wine is ceremoniously broken open to
drink to the health of the ship and all those
who sail in her using traditional square wooden
mugs.
Bashing the Barrel (l-r) Graham Burnett (Mill
Manager, Durban Wood Chips), Mr Miwa (President,
Hokuetsu Paper Mills), Xolani Mthembu (Clerk,
Durban Wood Chips), Carl Seele (Chairman, NCT
Forestry), Volly Keyser (Chairman, Durban Wood
Chips), Ferdie Braückmann (Commercial Manager,
Durban Wood Chips)
A competition was held to name the Hokuetsu
uShaka. Xolani Mthembu from Durban Wood Chips
came up with the winning name and is seen here
with Mr & Mrs Miwa.
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After performing the Kamawigari ceremony, Captain
Jose Maria Lopez, Charles Atkins (Maintenance
Manager, ShinCel), Harald Niebuhr (Chairman,
ShinCel), Patrick Kime (General Manager, NCT
Forestry) and Grant Stevens (OPS Director, Rennies)
toast the Hokuetsu Ibis and her crew.
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V I E W S • August 2008
NCT Director, Norman Sibetha (centre) with Captain
Jose Maria Lopez (l) and Chief Engineer, Tagle James
Russel
The majority of woodchips traded between overseas countries are transported in specialised
woodchip carriers.
There are over 160 woodchip carriers in the active fleet worldwide. This includes vessels that have
been shifted to grain or other trade and are unlikely to shift back to woodchips.
Specialised woodchip carriers are built at only two shipyards in Japan - Sanoyas and Oshima - with
Japanese companies owning most of these carriers.
The standard ordering process for a new woodchip carrier generally commences when a Japanese
paper company confirms a long-term (10-12 or 15-years) charter with a ship owning company, which
then organises its construction. After the vessels come off these long-term charters, they are available
to the “market,” and may be chartered by non-Japanese companies: for woodchip transport or for
other products like soybean meal and scrap steel.
Of the existing 144 woodchip carriers, 71% are under long-term charter to Japanese paper companies;
all 17 of the vessels to be delivered in 2008 are under charter to Japanese paper companies.
Courtesy: (RISI International Pulpwood Resource & Trade Review)
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N E W S
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PROFILE
Aerial view of Nippon Paper Industries’ largest paper mill, Ishinomaki Mill
J
apan ranks third in the world after the USA
and China in the production of paper and
pulp. With paper deeply rooted in the culture
and daily lives of the Japanese people, Japan
consumes about 10% of the world’s paper.
Against this background, Japan remains
dominant in the woodchip market. Its main
source of woodchips comes from Australia
followed by South Africa and Chile.
Sumitomo Corporation, Nippon Paper
Industries Company Limited and NCT (through
CTC) have spent over 30 years fostering a business
relationship that has produced profitable benefits
for all stakeholders concerned.
In the late sixties, prior to the establishment of
CTC, the late Craig Anderson (Chairman of SA
Timber Growers’ Association), Volly van Breda,
“Dim” Royden-Turner and John Slatter initiated
negotiations with Sumitomo Shoji Kaisha Limited
to export wattle woodchips to Sanyo-Kokusaku
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Pulp Company Limited. To date, close to 28 million
tonnes of woodchips have been exported to Japan
through these companies.
Both organizations have entrenched strong
business ties in South Africa not to mention a solid
relationship with NCT Forestry.
Sumitomo Corporation is an integrated
investment and trading company that acts as agent
between Nippon Paper Industries and NCT/CTC
for the export of woodchips.
The company was registered in December 1919
but Sumitomo’s history dates back 400 years (see
page 12). Sumitomo trades in metal products,
transportation & construction systems, mineral
resources & energy. It consists of a global network
of 150 offices with 40% of its profit generated in
Japan and the balance from overseas enterprises.
Nippon Paper Industries is Japan’s top producer
of paper and pulp boasting 12 local mills. It is the
core company of Nippon Paper Group which has
other subsidiaries in Japan and extensive overseas
operations. These include paper and pulp mills
in USA, linerboard mills in China, a thermal paper
processing mill in Finland, woodchip processing
mills in Australia and Chile to name a few. They
are 100% owned or jointly invested companies.
Nippon Paper Group produces 3,5 million tonnes
of virgin pulp and 7,2 million tonnes of paper
and paperboard per annum in Japan. It is ranked
in the Top 10 of PPI’s Top 100 for 2006 (Pulp &
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V I E W S • August 2008
Paper International Magazine released by RISI
in November 2007). Of all the Japanese paper
companies, Nippon Paper Industries has the most
number of woodchip carriers (31 vessels) under
charter. This makes the company the leading
importer of hardwood chips and accounts for the
largest total share of woodchip imports in Japan (an
estimated 32% in 2007).
The Group manufactures newsprint, printing and
writing paper, paperboard, household tissue, wood
pulp, converted paper products, liquid packaging,
household paper goods, lumber and other
construction material and chemical products.
Nippon Paper’s history dates to 1873 with the
establishment of one of the founder companies,
Shoshi Company. Through numerous company
mergers over the years, Sanyo-Kokusaku Pulp
Company was formed in 1972.
This was
the company CTC (via Sumitomo) initiated
negotiations to export woodchips.
SanyoKokusaku Pulp Company merged with Jujo
Paper Company which has origins from Shoshi
Company. The Nippon Paper Industries was
formed in 1993.
Nippon Unipac Holding was established in
2001 as a holding company of Nippon Paper
Industries, Daishowa Paper Manufacturing and
their subsidiaries. This followed the reorganisation
of the paper and paperboard businesses and the
Nippon Paper Group was born in April 2003.
The newest and biggest production machine (N6) in the group producing light weight coated paper with a
capacity of +1 000 tonnes per day.
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N E W S
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HISTORY OF SUMITOMO CORPORATION
Edo period: The beginning of
Sumitomo and the Besshi Copper
Mine
The history of Sumitomo dates
back to Masatomo Sumitomo (1585
- 1652), who opened a book and
medicine shop in Kyoto in the 17th
century. Masatomo left his teachings in
the form of the “Founder’s Precepts,”
in which he expounds concisely the
points in conducting business. His
precepts still serve as the foundation
of the “Sumitomo spirit.”
Around the same time, Masatomo’s
brother-in-law Riemon Soga (1572
- 1636), who ran a copper smelting
and coppersmithing business in Kyoto
(under the trade name Izumiya),
developed, with considerable effort,
a copper smelting technology called
“Nanban-buki (Western Refining)” to
extract silver from crude copper.
Tomomochi Sumitomo (1607 1662), the eldest son of Riemon,
who became a family member of the
House of Sumitomo by marrying a
daughter of Masatomo, extended the
business to Osaka, and disclosed the
“Nanban-buki” technology to other
copper smelters. Sumitomo/Izumiya
thus came to be looked up to as the
“head family of Nanban-buki,” and
Osaka subsequently took the lead
in the copper refining industry in
Japan.
During the Edo period, Japan was
one of the world’s leading copper
producing countries. From his origins
in the copper trade, Tomomochi
went on to become a trader in
thread, textiles, sugar and medicines,
and Izumiya prospered such that it
was said that “No one in Osaka can
compete with Izumiya.”
Izumiya then went into the copper
mining business, and ran copper
mines in the Ohu region and Bicchu
Yoshioka. In 1691, the Besshi Copper
Mine was opened after obtaining
permission from the Tokugawa
Shogunate. The Besshi Copper Mine
continued operations for 283 years,
and served as a basis of Sumitomo
business.
From the Meiji period onward: The
period of Sumitomo’s expansion
The Besshi Copper Mine, which
got through the chaos caused by the
Meiji Restoration, quickly adopted
technology and equipment from
overseas, and dramatically increased
its production output. Later on, the
Besshi Copper Mine not only further
increased its copper production
output by continuously introducing
new Western technologies, but also
entered into related businesses,
in quick succession, such as the
machine and coal industries, electric
cable manufacturing and forestry.
Moreover,
the
“Namiai-gyo”
finance business operating in Osaka
developed into a banking business.
The warehousing business, which
was a part of this banking business,
became independent, and developed
into a modern financial group
focusing on two major areas - mining
and manufacturing, and financing.
With the postwar dissolution of
financial groups, Sumitomo affiliated
companies began to go their separate
ways, and each company now plays an
active part in their respective industry.
The “Founder’s Precepts” written
by Masatomo Sumitomo still live
on in the performance of Sumitomo
affiliated companies as the “basis of
the Sumitomo company spirit.”
Courtesy: Sumitomo Corporation
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N E W S
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FORESTRY IN THAILAND
Rob Thompson, Assistant General Manager
N
CT hosted three executives from SCG Paper,
the Siam Cement Group – Paper Division from
Thailand. Poramate Larnroongroj, Narong
Meenual and Parnchai Apornsiripong visited South
Africa to learn more about Forestry Stewardship
Certification (FSC) initiatives in the country with a view
towards adopting some of these in their own country.
In Thailand, the per capita consumption of paper is
currently 54kg annually and rising steadily. This demand
is promising for the forestry industry as a whole.
However, over recent years, production of timber has
been stifled by economic disturbances resulting from
the disastrous tsunami, droughts, floods, avian flu
outbreaks, southern unrest, political uncertainty and
the global impact of rising oil prices.
SCG Paper had a turnover increase of 17% in
2005 accounting for US$1,13 billion and a net profit
after tax of US$54 million. These figures indicate the
magnitude and economic importance of this dynamic
company.
Eucalyptus seedlings and lately clonal material are
used predominantly for the production of pulpwood.
Small-scale production of eucalyptus timber is one of
the leading sources of income for people in Thailand.
Farms are less than four hectares in extent which
equates to the typical South African small-scale grower
in South African tribal areas. The difference however,
lies in the magnitude of suppliers. SCG Paper contracts
pulpwood production from well over 40 000 individual
‘members’. Imagine what logistical and co-ordination
challenges this brings to the fore.
SCG Paper has embarked on a huge drive towards
sustainability hence their interest in FSC certification.
Five distinct policies have been implemented in the
group to achieve sustainability and stewardship
excellence:
• The control of water, air and other pollutions to
within all government requirements.
• Reduction of waste and minimisation of emissions
from all production plants.
• Restoration and improvement of eco-systems from
which the timber resources are obtained.
• Implementation of effective environmental
management systems including audits and
assessments of the company’s environmental
performance.
• Development of environmentally-friendly products.
Our visitors’ obvious and intense interest in the
manner in which we house forestry labour bore
testimony to their company’s focus on corporate social
responsibility. There are three legs to this focus:
• Providing support to local communities through
public participation.
• Promoting dialogue pertaining to public concerns
about the company’s operations.
• Regular disclosure of the company’s environmental
and safety performance records as well as other
relevant issues.
The average tree in Thailand is felled at four years
given the “hand-to-mouth” existence of much of the
populace. Trees are regarded as cash crops and rarely
survive beyond four years. Timber theft also occurs
with illegal felling of standing trees at night using hand
axes. Most mills are open 24/7 thereby allowing for the
flow of stolen timber at night. Ownership of chainsaws
by individuals has been made illegal in Thailand in
order to curb illegal logging of indigenous forests. Only
the government may use and own chainsaws! The
eucalyptus trees produced by growers are felled with
brush cutters fitted with a circular blade (see below).
The visitation by the Thais was a fascinating
exchange of information. It brought home to us clearly
that despite South African forestry practitioners feeling
increasingly insular and insecure regarding the forest
industry, we are not alone in the world. It is perhaps a
necessity that we all force ourselves from time to time to
have a look at circumstances outside of our boundaries
and begin to understand that we do, indeed, have
much to be grateful for.
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N E W S
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Timber Treatment
& Processing Seminar
Campbell Sanderson, District Manager, Nelspruit
The NCT Nelspruit team recently hosted a Timber
Treatment & Processing Seminar focusing on topical
developments in the South African forestry &
processing sectors. Over 40 delegates attended from
Mpumalanga, Gauteng, Limpopo and KwaZuluNatal.
Campbell Sanderson (District Manager, Nelspruit–
NCT) opened proceedings by highlighting the sale
of various commodities through NCT over the past
five years. One of the most noteworthy observations
was a substantial reduction in the sale of pine saw
logs in KwaZulu-Natal (51,67% since 2005). This
downward trend was envisaged to continue due to
the decreasing availability of pine in the province.
Conversely, an increasing trend was measured in
the sale of gum saw logs in Mpumalanga & KZN
- Mpumalanga showing an astonishing growth of
712,66% between 2005 & 2007. This trend was
predicted to increase as saw millers/consumers shifted
to gum products as a substitute for the diminishing
supply & availability of the pine resource.
Selected gum poles (building & fencing, telephone
and transmission poles) also experienced a general
increase in sales over the five-year period with trends
in Mpumalanga & KZN mirroring each another.
Rob Thompson (Assistant GM & Member Services
Manager-NCT) shared a sobering synopsis of major
challenges facing the South African forestry industry
on behalf of Forestry SA (FSA). He placed emphasis on
– pests & diseases;
– fires;
– restriction of new afforestation areas;
– property rates; and
– land claims/transformation charter
as major challenges which foresters and markets
alike have to deal with on a daily basis.
Positive developments were highlighted:
• Government has allocated R5 million towards
research and development for pests and
diseases.
• FSA has persuaded the Department of Water
Affairs & Forestry to review the Veld and Forest
Fire Act.
• Government has committed itself to implement
the Transformation Charter commitments
i.e. to streamline water licence applications,
review SAFCOL exit strategy on 57,000ha
saw log plantations, etc.
Marius Neser (Commercial Manager-NCT)
presented an overview of pulpwood and woodchip
trends & developments, locally and abroad. There
had been a 45% reduction in the volume of timber
supplied to woodchip plants throughout South
Africa between 2004 & 2008; however over the
same period, there had been a 19% and 33%
increase in the volume intake at pulp and board mills
respectively.
Marius drew attention to the increase in
global demand for pulp and woodchips. A
report by Hawkins Wright, confirmed that the
global expansion of the pulp market capacity
over the next four years was in excess of 7,2
million annual tonnes. The implication of this
is that there is a global increase in demand for
hardwoods (shorter rotation crops) with future
prospects for pulpwood/woodchips looking
extremely positive.
Bruce Goatley (Logist ics Manager-NCT)
covered current developments in the rail and road
transport sectors:
• An 80% shift of freight from rail to road since
deregulation.
• An 8% per annum increase in the number of
vehicles on the road.
• A relatively high logistics cost 16%–18% of GDP
in South Africa (global average of 9%–11%).
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• South Africa accounts for approximately 82% of
all paved roads in sub-Sahara Africa.
• Transnet Freight Rail boasts 32% of the total
railway route kilometres on the African continent
and is accountable for 61% of the total freight
tonnage.
The movement cost of timber (harvesting &
transportation) can account for as much as 75%
of the total production cost of the raw resource.
It was critical for increased collaboration between
role-players within the timber supply chain
to reduce costs and to constantly search for
improvements in efficiencies. This was becoming
increasingly pertinent due to escalating fuel
rates and pending changes in the National Road
Traffic Act (which could result in new overloading
legislation).
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V I E W S • August 2008
Preservatives Association) presented the advantages
and disadvantages of the various treating processes
i.e. treatment with CCA (chromated copper
arsenate), creosote, boron and tri-butyl oxide
(TBTO). Angus highlighted that most poles and saw
timber within South Africa are still treated with CCA
(accounted for 63.5% of all treated poles and saw
timber in 2007), despite environmental pressures
regarding the use of the product.
Angus alerted delegates to a review by the
European Commission which had not recommended
the ongoing use of creosote as a wood preservative
because of the hazard assessment and risk aspects
for human health. Unless the European treatment
industry comes up with sound reasons for the
ongoing use of creosote, there will be a strong
motive to discontinue its use, especially if a suitable
alternative is identified.
Mandy Allpas (Crickmay, Sawmilling Projects
Leader) concluded with an address on the Lumber
Price Index (LPI) and developments in the sawmilling
sector. The LPI is an index of the average delivered
price of sawn softwood timber, currently measured
across 70% (by volume) of all formal saw mills in
South Africa.
Although sawn timber prices were increasing at
a rapid rate, the cost of the raw resource (saw logs)
had increased dramatically and saw millers were
struggling to recover this cost. The average cost at
roadside for saw logs had increased by 37,18% per
annum in the past two years; however the LPI only
experienced an 18,9% increase over the past two
years. Mandy also highlighted that the sawmilling
sector experienced a gradual decline in average
diameters and average lengths since 2002. This was
predominately due to over-felling and a reduction
in the average clear-fell age. In spite of all of this,
and perhaps because of it, sawmills had managed to
improve their recoveries over the years.
As for the effect that the recent fires would have on
the sawmilling sector and the subsequent availability
of the raw resource, Crickmay predict that there will
be an average saw timber shortfall of 46% during
2007–2011 (the first five years after the fire) and
that there would be an average annual shortfall of
3,7 million m3 for the next 30 years (2007–2036).
To assist with this deficit it is predicted that South
Africa will have to import an additional 500 000
– 600 000 m 3 of sawn timber per annum.
Sponsors:
Rudaman’s, Low’s Creek Treated Timbers
NCT Forestry Co-operative Ltd
Len O’Haughey (CEO-Reatile Timrite) gave an
energetic overview of the mining timber sector. The
envisaged long-term growth and major investments
forecast in the platinum and gold sectors (mines),
coupled with high levels of profitability in precious
metals (related in part to the exchange rate), and
lends itself to a predicted increase in demand for
mining timber well into the foreseeable future.
Len emphasised that mining timber was vitally
strategic to the mining process and that almost
all major mining companies were concerned with
securing future timber supplies. This bodes well for
the growth in the supply of timber to the mining
sector, particularly for timber farmers situated closer
to the traditional mining areas i.e. growers positioned
in Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo and Swaziland.
Angus Currie (Executive Director-SA Wood
15
N E W S
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V I E W S • August 2008
Genetics vs Fertilisation
Craig Norris, Manager, Technical Services
M
any timber farmers look carefully at
the costs involved in establishing
compartments due to the difficult
economic conditions that we are experiencing.
Good silviculture and planting of the best genetic
material does result in improved timber growth
but under the present circumstances, growers
sometimes need to prioritise expenditure. The
rapidly escalating costs of fertiliser warrants a
re-assessment of this operation to determine if
increased yields at rotation end justify the costs.
Eucalyptus fertiliser trials
A review done at the ICFR (Institute for
Commercial Forestry Research) of 72 trials
planted to Eucalyptus species in South Africa,
illustrated that in 65% of trials some growth
response to fertilisation at planting occurred.
However, in many of these trials, the responses
recorded did not result in economic returns.
Frequently growth responses declined within a
few years of planting and were not maintained
through to felling age.
Figure 1 shows that many of the trials planted
were not measured up to clear-felling (79%).
One can only assume that one of the reasons for
abandoning these trials was a declining growth
response to fertiliser treatments.
Of the trials monitored to felling age, 77%
gave a significant response to the best fertilisation
treatment when compared to the unfertilised
control plots (figure 1). Some of these ‘best’
treatments were at very high rates that are
expensive to apply. It is also interesting to note
that of the trials that gave significant responses
just over half were planted on the Zululand
coastal plain.
Summary of number of fertiliser trials
conducted in the summer rainfall region of
South Africa.
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Trails measured up
to clearfelling
Trails completed
before clearfelling
Trials to be
analysed
No report available
Outstanding
Significant response
No significant response
Figure 1: Total Number of Fertiliser Trails: 81
Fertilising seedlings at the recommended rates
is an establishment technique. The small quantities
applied does not alter site nutrition, it simply
provides a localised dose to stimulate early seedling
growth. Existing trial data does not provide
conclusive evidence of improved seedling survival
or stand uniformity resulting from fertilisation. In
addition, on many sites early growth improvements
become insignificant as other site limiting factors
take effect (soil moisture, competition, etc).
16
N E W S
Clone trial results
Hybrids between various Eucalyptus species have
been developed to combine desirable characteristics
of the parent species. These hybrids are generally
propagated as clones. Measurement from clone trials
consistently indicate that if you plant a top performing
hybrid clone on the correct site you can expect a
minimum of 10% improvement in yield compared to
seedling controls.
A recent cruise of adjacent commercial
compartments of E. grandis seedlings and a top
performing E. grandis x E. urophylla (GU) clone, planted
in the Pietermaritzburg plantations, indicated a 21 %
volume improvement in the clone compartment.
Seedlings vs clones
Hybrids have not been developed for all site types
and hybrid clones can be fairly site specific. Seedlings
have a greater genetic diversity and on many sites
they may be a better option. Growers who would like
to plant clone material need to contact NCT for advice
on site clone matching.
If seedlings are the best option for your farm, you
need to order seedlings germinated from improved
seed. These seedlings may be more expensive but
genetic gain trials planted over the years have shown
that this is an excellent investment.
&
V I E W S • August 2008
Fertilising vs genetics
The most expensive clones will cost a grower
an additional R1 400 per hectare to plant. If the
clone is correctly matched to the site conditions,
trials indicate that a minimum of a 10% increase
in tonnage can be expected at rotation end. In
addition, the same growth benefits will be realised
from the coppice crop. This means that the return
on investment is carried into the second rotation.
It is also important to note that the best return
on investing in expensive clone material will be
realised on sites with good growing potential.
At today’s prices, it costs about R1 500
per hectare to fertilise at the recommended
rates. Trial results indicate that on some sites
initial responses to fertilisation may not be
carried through to rotation end. Our current
understanding of site fertilization interactions
does not allow us to predict with any certainty
where cost effective responses will be realised
(with the possible exception of the Zululand
coastal plain).
If a timber farmer has a limited budget for
re-planting eucalypt compartments, it may be
an option to invest in the best genetic material
available and save on fertilisation costs?
A GU clonal hybrid plot (left) next to an E. dunnii seedling control (right), in a trial planted in the
Pietermaritzburg plantations.
17
N E W S
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V I E W S • August 2008
approaches toward managing the increasing
threat of pests and diseases, suggesting that
the use of bio-control agents and soluble silicon
may offer solutions to these problems. He also
emphasised the need for those working in forestry
to learn from experiences in agriculture.
Other papers delivered on the first day covered
a worldwide perspective of Mycosphaerella leaf
disease, as well as a number of tree breeding talks
by staff from Sappi, Mondi and the ICFR. These
included the latest research into developing a
sterile variety of black wattle, Acacia mearnsii, to
control the spread of this commercial important
tree species. Papers on understanding the genetic
diversity in Eucalyptus urophylla from its natural
point of origin, in eastern Indonesia, and its
importance as a hybrid partner at low elevations
in South Africa were also presented.
Dr Bob Scholes, CSIR Fellow, opened the second
day with a plenary paper on the impact and
relevance of global climate change on the South
African forestry industry. Dr Scholes presented
some of the current trends in global climate
change, including rising mean temperatures and
changes in CO2 and rainfall. Delaying our response
is no longer an option, and Dr Scholes suggested
that the industry begin looking for opportunities
to mitigate some of the unavoidable effects that
will impact in the near future, as well as find ways
to reduce longer-term effects. Some of the issues
discussed were the use of natural water resources,
changing fire regimes and the use of forest byproducts as bio-fuels.
Other topics of the day included the use of
process-based models to understand tree growth
and wood quality and silvicultural management
issues such as the impact of espacement, residue
management and harvesting operations.
Following the devastating fires of 2007, a paper
on assessing the wood properties of burnt timber
proved topical. Of particular interest to delegates
was a series of talks on wood properties looking at
the use of acoustic sound wave velocity to assess
timber quality (particularly that of juvenile wood).
The aim is to influence the strength and stability
characteristics of future timber supply through
breeding programmes. Papers on understanding
wood properties and on the various techniques
and processes currently in use, to measure wood
properties were also presented.
The next ICFR Research Symposium will be held
in 2010.
ICFR CORNER
2008 Forestry Research Symposium
T
he ICFR hosted the 3rd Forestry Research
Symposium at the University of KwaZuluNatal (UKZN) in Pietermaritzburg. Attended
by more than 110 delegates from 20 research and
academic organisations and forestry companies,
the Symposium covered a range of topical papers
including the latest research initiatives.
Professor Charles Breen, ICFR’s Chairman of
the Board of Control and Professor Emeritus of
UKZN, opened the Symposium with a thoughtprovoking address on the need to look for new
opportunities by learning to disconnect from
the past. Professor Breen challenged delegates
to let go of preconceptions, to look for windows
of opportunity and appreciate meaningful coincidences, in order to prepare for change and
strive for the implementation of research into
current operational practices.
Guest plenary speaker, Professor Mark Laing,
Chair of Plant Pathology and Director for the
African Centre for Crop Improvement at UKZN,
presented a paper on combining bio-control and
silicon applications for improved tree health. In
his talk, Professor Laing suggested some novel
18
N E W S
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V I E W S • August 2008
NCTPROFILE
IAIN THOMPSON
“
If I had the talent, I would love to be a
professional sportsman. They get to travel
the world, are paid ridiculous sums of money
to play a game they love; but since I was born into
this body and not Pierre Spies’ I’m content with
Tree Breeding!”
Lucky for NCT (and forestry), Iain Thompson’s
interest leaned toward genetics and tree breeding.
It was in his early years at high school, that
Iain discovered his attraction to breeding plants.
However it was only since having completed his
MSc degree, when he realised the challenges and
rewards behind a career in forestry.
Iain comes to NCT with impressive credentials:
a BSc in Biotechnology (University of Cape Town),
a BSc (Hon) in Genetics (University of Natal) and
an MSc in Genetics (University of KwaZulu-Natal).
NCT employed him on a part-time basis while
he completed his studies before he joined the
Forest Technology department in April 2006 on a
permanent basis.
Why the interest in forest technology?
“My Masters’ thesis was on black wattle and
I had the opportunity to work for NCT at their
affiliated nurseries; so when a permanent post
became available I knew I would enjoy the work
19
and duly applied for the job,” says Iain.
Iain’s day-to-day work varies but usually comprises
one of the three components of his job:
• Clonal hybrid deployment - clonal hybrid breeding,
bulking-up of research material, conducting
rooting experiments designing trials and the final
deployment of clonal trials.
• Pure species maintenance - the layout and planting
of seed orchards, orchard maintenance and the
layout and planting of genetic gain trials.
• Linking NCT to ICFR research - a service provided
to growers whereby forestry research innovations
is promoted among private farmers, supply seed
to private nurseries and make clonal and species
site recommendations to farmers.
“I enjoy the wide diversity of responsibilities that my
job entails. From a breeding perspective, forestry offers
a unique set of problems due to its long rotation time
and as a result breeding and horticultural techniques
require a certain amount of lateral thought before
they can be applied to our industry,” he adds.
Iain believes that the primary challenges that face
growers today are climate change, new pests and
diseases and a short-term view on timber.
He advises that growers need to be more open to
change and remain flexible in species choices and
ultimate market supply. Good species (and clone)
to site matching will reduce the risk of disease by
reducing the stress on compartments. This also
results in the farm not covered by a single species (or
hybrid) type.
Since forestry is a long-term investment,
Iain suggests a little more attention to establish
plantations with the very best genetic material
available. This investment will pay handsomely at
the end of rotation and, in the case of the Eucalyptus
species; this pay-out will maintain itself in the second
or even third rotations through good coppice
management.
“My biggest bugbear is the fallacy that money is
made at the mill. In the current market environment
and without a steady supply of plantation-grown
timber, money may be lost at the mill,” concludes
Iain.
Born & raised in Pietermaritzburg, Iain enjoys the
lifestyle typical of KZN – canoeing, body boarding,
a weekend at the beach and of course watching the
Boks beat the All Blacks.
N E W S
&
V I E W S • August 2008
Pieterma
GREEN
T
operations and infrastructure development. It has
made substantial profits over the last ten years
which benefits the municipality as the land owner.
Working in conjunction with the Department of
Parks and Recreation, eradication of alien plants
in the valleys from Ferncliffe to Chase Valley is an
ongoing programme. Although the City Forestry
Board funds its conservation efforts from monies
generated themselves, Parks and Recreation tap
into funds from Working for Water and similar
organisations.
Gum and Wattle pulpwood are sold to woodchip
exporters as well as fibre board manufacturers;
wattle bark is sold to a tannin manufacturer. The
city also supplies pine logs to local sawmills and
particle board manufacturers with gum telephone
and transmission poles produced for treating
he City of Pietermaritzburg owns over
2 000ha of plantations of which 1 500ha
is planted out to commercial trees – pine,
gum and wattle – with the balance made
up of conservation areas, roads and firebreaks.
Pietermaritzburg is managed by the Msunduzi
Municipality which has elected NCT Tree Farming, a
wholly-owned subsidiary of NCT Forestry, to manage
the plantation on their behalf.
The city’s plantations are FSC-certified, an indication
of professional on-the-ground management. (Forest
Stewardship Council certification is granted to timber
farms that comply with international standards of
environmental, social and economic management
and has many benefits to all concerned).
The plantation is a ring-fenced operation; it
funds its own operations including conservation
20
N E W S
&
V I E W S • August 2008
r i t z b u r g ’s
LUNG
the valleys and waterways of the plantations.
The plantations and indigenous forests act as a
carbon sink and offer residents of Pietermaritzburg
a beautiful forest to enjoy as their own.
A number of social activities take place in the
forest and residents are encouraged to enjoy these
forested areas across the city. Trails are marked
for walking, hiking, mountain-biking and bird
viewing. It is also ideal to share the open spaces
with one’s dogs (on a leash).
For the past few years, the provincial and South
African downhill and cross-country mountain
biking championships have been held in the
forests around Pietermaritzburg. The city was also
successful in its bid to host the World Mountain
Biking championships in the city’s forests from
2009-2013, a definite boon for local tourism.
plants in the area.
Apart from the day-to-day forestry activities
(preparing land for planting, nurturing the trees
to ensure that they remain healthy and strong
until they are ready to be felled), there is also the
arduous task of clearing riverine areas of alien
plants and weeds. Alien jungle areas that encroach
upon urban and residential areas also need to be
cleared and managed.
To celebrate Arbor Day in 2007, NCT estate
manager, Jeremy Dixon, helped by learners
from two local schools, planted 500 indigenous
saplings in a patch of plantation. This initiative
has continued and to date over 1000 saplings
have been planted. In years to come, instead
of thickets of lantana, bug weed and other alien
plants, indigenous trees and shrubs will prevail in
21
N E W S
&
V I E W S • August 2008
NCT Tree Farming (Pty) Ltd
Want to enjoy the financial benefits and returns of tree farming but don’t have the resources to manage one?
NCT Tree Farming may be the answer.
NCT Members, who prefer not to manage their own plantations, are able to purchase the management services
and expertise which are tailor-made to suit each individual client’s needs.
NCT Tree Farming supplies a total management package which includes the handling of all forestry operations,
financial services, administration, marketing and the employment of suitable staff.
Services offered include:
• Effective on-the-ground management.
• Advanced financial and administration services.
• Planning services.
Prior to the management of a farm, a management committee is set where both parties control the contract.
This committee meets as often as is necessary to facilitate and ensure the sustainable management of the estate.
NCT Tree Farming is a wholly-owned subsidiary of NCT Forestry Co-operative, formed in 1996 to manage the
Co-operative’s own plantations and those of its Members who require this service. NCT Tree Farming has a total
of 27 contracts and a timber area of some 13 600ha.
NCT owns two farms in the KZN midlands totaling 2 558ha of timber - Ingwe Forests (Lidgetton) and Enon
Forests (Richmond). NCT also owns a further 1 611ha of timber on leased land in the Baynesfield area.
The purpose of these farms is to act as a reservoir of timber to be felled during times of under-supply. This
ensures a consistent supply of quality round wood timber to markets. Since March 2007, NCT Tree Farming also
manages the three ShinCel farms in the Mooi River area, increasing the managed area to a further 1 111.7ha.
NCT Members, who prefer not to manage their own plantations, are able to purchase the management
services and expertise provided by NCT Tree Farming, which services are tailor-made to suit each individual
client’s needs.
NCT Tree Farming (Pty) Limited • P O Box 1445, Pietermaritzburg 3200
Telephone: (033) 8978500 • Fax: (033) 8978501 • www.nctforest.com
2008 ADVERTISING RATES FOR NEWS & VIEW
Full page
Inside front page: R3 357-64 • Inside back page: R2 943-16 • Other pages: R2 572-41
Half page
Inside front page: R1 678-82 • Inside back page: R1 471-58 • Other pages: R1 286-20
Rates exclude VAT
Bookings:
Anita Nicholson
033-8978507 or [email protected]
22
N E W S
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V I E W S • August 2008
BONGEKILE CRECHE
A bright, colourful crèche painted by 18 volunteers from the Nottingham Bluecoat School in England
Earlier this year, the NCT’s Boy’s Adventure Challenge raised over R7 000 for a community project
nominated by the organisers and NCT. The crèche fitted the profile and received the donation for
a jungle gym.
The crèche at Indaleni, Richmond had no playground or activity centre with only a few scattered
used tyres to jump in and out of. Today, they boast a colourful building; a newly-built jungle gym
and the children gleefully look forward to going to school every day.
The children at Bongekile Crèche enjoy their new
jungle gym
Before – a dull, plastered building
23
N E W S
&
V I E W S • August 2008
NCT’s members
recognised
for long service
25 Years
Rosthwaite Farms cc
Wida Farms (Pty) Ltd
PJH Lourens
TAD Poles
Larsen Farming (Pty) Ltd
RH Pepworth
Smaldeel Trust
SE Niebuhr
MJ Wallace
JP Nel
The UVS Co Ltd – Ravensfield
Estate
GH Lubbe
Bridford Farm
The RG Labuschagne Family Trust
Deasenne (Pty) Ltd
CW Robertson
30 Years
EF Ortmann
Bennidale Farms
The Rietspruit Farm Partnership
Maharaj Bros
Richard Town Board
Mbona Mountain Estate
CS E Foster
WA Rennie
35 Years
Manzini Estate (Pty) Ltd
JD Payne
L’estrange Farm Trust
KBG Estate
PA Briscoe
Glenmac Forestry cc
25 years – Piet Nel (l) & Jack Mason
(Deasenne (Pty) Ltd)
35 Years
R Rossler & Sons
RP Bingle
Desmond Logging
AH Morris
Esperance Farming Trust
Sheepwalk Estate
Sutherland Farm (Pty) Ltd
Naaukloof Boerdery cc
Schnetler Boerdery (Pty) Ltd
Harding Town Board
Greenbranch Estate
GB McKenzie
Kellhof Investments cc
40 Years
Craig Macfarlane Will Trust
K & H Köhne
30 years – Pat Hutton (Mbona Mountain Estate)
with NCT Chairman, Carl Seele
24
N E W S
&
V I E W S • August 2008
45 Years
Misty Krantz Trust
Killiekrankie Trust
Arum Valley Trust
Bracken Forestry (Pty) Ltd
Patula Products Trust
CN Griffin
GT Oellermann
WKE Gevers
BWN Griffin
Pine ValleyTrust
G & W Farming
Estate Late HJ Antel
50 Years
Dering (Pty) Ltd
WH Wortmann
WJW Hillerman
HT Hackland
Ortmann Bros
D J Dukes
VG Keyser Farming cc
M Rencken
Glen Echo Timbers cc
Rosewood Farm (Pty) Ltd
45 years – Ron Küsel (Pine Valley Trust & Killikrankie Trust), Murray Mason
(Bracken Forestry) & Heinze Küsel (Misty Krantz Trust & Arum Valley Trust)
55 Years
EA Muhl Family Farming
HH Joosten
Phoenix Wattle Farming cc
GB Gordon
50 years – Keyser brothers, Volly (VG Keyser Farming), Randolph (Glen Echo
Timbers) and Friedel (Rosewood Farm)
35 years – Dougal MacLean (Glenmac Forestry), Brian Aitken
(Manzini Estates), Gordon McKenzie & Bradley Leitch (KBG Estate)
25
55 years – Ant Gibbs (Phoenix Wattle
Farming) with NCT Chairman, Carl Seele
N E W S
&
V I E W S • August 2008
an
Photo: Carla Hardm
N
• Communication and education
minimum as far as it is reasonable.
• Conservation
CT will encourage Members of the Co-operative to conduct their
tree farming operations on a sustainable basis (ecologically,
NCT will promote awareness of environmental issues and of new technologies to
economically and socially). NCT recognises that its members’
ensure that operations are conducted on a sustainable basis.
operations impact on the environment. These impacts will be kept to a
All landowners should set aside areas worthy of conservation. This would include
In order to achieve this, NCT subscribes to the following
principles:
representative eco-systems, natural forests, habitats for rare and endangered
species, wetlands and sites of archaeological, cultural or historic interest.
Biodiversity on farms will be encouraged at every opportunity.
• Compliance with applicable laws
Members should only establish plantations on land that has been granted
• Research and development
a permit or a Water Use License and their operations should be conducted
NCT will support research and development programmes to optimise the use
according to the laws of the land.
of resources on a sustainable basis and to gain a better understanding of the
impact of plantation forestry on the natural environment.
• Social responsibility
Members will be encouraged to conduct their operations in such a manner as
• Work and living environments
to create wealth for the communities in which they live. This will be achieved
The Co-operative’s policy is that only the highest standards of occupational
by using, local labour and contractors and supporting local infrastructure.
health and safety are acceptable. Members will be encouraged to adopt this
Education of labour and improvement of living conditions will result in a
policy and also encouraged to provide an acceptable living environment for
contented, productive work force.
employees.
NCT supports the principles and criteria of the Forest Stewardship Council.
The mark of
responsible forestry
SGS-FM/COC-0348
26
© 1996 Forest Stewardship
Council A.C.
FSC certified: 76 000 ha
N E W S
&
V I E W S • August 2008
CAPTURE
- André Rossouw, Project Coordinator: KZN Biodiversity Programme, Endangered Wildlife Trust -
O
ribi capture and relocation is not
an easy and simple operation.
Capture for relocation purposes
is often a time-consuming and expensive
exercise which involves mainly “doomed”
oribi populations. Relocation also takes
place when the carrying capacity of the
area has been reached or there is a need
to actively manage the animals.
“Doomed” populations are often
isolated and show a definite decline in
numbers due to poaching. Ezemvelo
KZN Wildlife assesses the populations
and identifies suitable properties as
potential release sites. Permits for
capture and transport are issued once
stakeholders are in agreement with the
relocation.
“Doomed” oribi are skittish making
the capture operation difficult. The ideal
is to capture and relocate family groups
but this isn’t always possible. The most
efficient and economical way (terrain
permitting) of capturing “doomed”
populations is darting at night, after
fire breaks have been burnt; oribi often
frequent the newly burnt areas.
Passive capture is another method
used to relocate oribi in an enclosed area. It is less stressful
than darting and keeps family units together. Unfortunately
time and resources do not always allow for this technique.
The secret therefore is striking a balance between what is best
for the oribi and what is economically viable.
A “doomed” population was recently captured (darting
at night) in the Cato Ridge area. This population decreased
over the last 18 months from eight to two animals. The
animals were relocated to a 220ha low-density housing estate
outside Howick which comprised a population of four animals
(one male and three females) but lost the male in last year’s
runaway fires.
NCT handed a cheque for R50 000 to the Oribi
Working Group (OWG) affiliated to the Endangered
Wildlife Trust. This will go towards the oribi
translocation and custodian programmes managed
and implemented by the OWG.
NCT has been involved in the conservation of this
endangered antelope since 2002. The Co-operative
plays an active role in ensuring that its Members are
encouraged to preserve natural grassland habitats.
Seen here are (from left) Cliff Walton (NCT),
Athol Marchant (KZN Wildlife), Rob Thompson
(NCT), Mark Pettit (SAPPI), George Zaloumis (KZN
Wildlife), André Rossouw (EWT), Andrew Hill (MSc
student) & James Wakelin (KZN)
27
N E W S
&
V I E W S • August 2008
Know your
indigenous trees
Specific trees are singled out every
year during Arbor Week (in September)
as Trees of the Year. This year the Wild
plum (Harpephyllum caffrum), a small,
tropical tree with striking flowers
and decorative fruits is the 2008 Tree
of the Year. It shares the platform
with two rare trees, the Bladder-nut
(Diospyros whyteana) and Bell bean
tree (Markhamia zanzibarica).
Flowers
Wild Plum
Harpephyllum caffrum
Distribution:
Widespread in coastal and mountain forests
from the Eastern Cape, northwards through
KZN, Swaziland, southern Mozambique,
Limpopo and into Zimbabwe.
Description:
Large, evergreen tree that grows up to 15m.
The main stem is clean and straight but the forest
form often has supporting buttress roots. The
bark is smooth becoming rough, dark grey-brown
as it grows older. Branches are curved, bowed
upwards, with sickle-shaped leaflet crowded
towards the ends often with an odd bright red
one, form a thick crown at the top of the tree.
Flowers (Nov-Feb) are small in muchbranched sprays near the ends of branches.
The fruit is red and resembles small prunes. Cape
Parrots open the stone and eat the kernel.
Fruit
28
N E W S
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Fruit
Flower
Bladder Nut
Diospyros whyteana
Bell Bean Tree
Markhamia zanzibarica
Distribution:
Found naturally in forests, mountain slopes
and rocky areas. Common in South Africa and
stretching as far north as Ethiopia.
Distribution:
Tropical tree occurring at medium to low
altitude from Tanzania & Malawi, south to
the Kruger National Park and westward to
Botswana, Namibia and Caprivi Strip. Found
mainly on rocky hillsides and riverine fringes.
Description:
Evergreen shrub/small multi-stemmed tree
with a straight trunk that branches low down
to form a dense, round to pyramidal crown
with an occasional bright orange/red leaf.
The bark on young branches is yellow-green
to pinkish, covered by fine coppery hairs but
smooth, grey to almost black on older trees.
The glossy leaves are dark green above and pale
green and sparsely covered with hairs below.
Scented flowers hang from hairy stalks appear
in spring. Bell-shaped, white to creamy yellow.
Fruit borne throughout summer are fleshy
berries that turn scarlet when ripe. They are
enclosed in inflated, bladder-like capsules
and remain on the tree months after the fruit
has fallen.
Description:
Small, slender tree with crooked branches
and a soft green crown. It grows to about
3.5m but can reach heights of 8m. Its
bark is grey-brown, smooth and glossy
when young and flaky in older trees. It
has 2-4 pairs of leaflets on either side
of the stalk and ends in a terminal one.
Flowers (spring-summer) are striking, yellow with
maroon flecks, bell-shaped and spreading lobes.
Fruit slender, bean-like capsules, with a twisted
structure and dangle from the tree in late
summer. Dark brown when mature and
split open lengthwise to release flat, winged
seeds
Courtesy: PlantzAfrica.com • Photographs: Field Guide to Trees of S Africa – B & P van Wyk • Gardening with Indigenous Trees – D & S Johnson.
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N E W S
&
V I E W S • August 2008
INTERNAL AFFAIRS
NEW APPOINTMENTS
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Richards Bay
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346 Burger Street • Pietermaritzburg 3201 • PO Box 1445, Pietermaritzburg • 3200 South Africa
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N E W S
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