Cedar replanting in Cederberg
2010-06-30 11:14
Cape Town - Two Cape-based companies have teamed up with CapeNature to replant Cedar trees in the Cederberg.
Cedar trees are categorised as endangered on the Red Data List, and are one of only 1 000 surviving conifers worldwide.
In June, 240 saplings were planted in their natural environment in the Cederberg mountains. These were the first of 1 000 trees that will be supplied by Just Trees and red espresso in partnership with Cape Nature.
CapeNature said it is trying to restore the ecology of the area.
"Restoration ecology is one of CapeNature’s intervention strategies to ensure that disturbed natural processes, habitats and species are managed in a way that will restore resilience against future disturbance regimes, specifically also aimed at addressing the potential impact of climate change, " CapeNature Executive Director of Operations, Fanie Bekker told News24.
Tracking system
Each tree will be fitted with a GPS tracking system to help prevent theft and enable authorities to track trees if there is an attempt to move them across national borders.
According to CapeNature, fire also plays a big role in decimating the trees that were harvested to near extinction in the 1800s.
"The Clanwilliam Cedar (Widdringtonia cedarbergensis) is our heritage. We cannot change the past but we can attempt to have a positive impact on the future. We might not see the results of our efforts to save the Cedar tree, but hopefully generations to come will be able to enjoy the Berg with a Tree," said Rika Du Plessis from CapeNature.
The trees were grown from seeds at Just Trees nursery in Paarl and then transported to the designated area in 5kg bags. They were then planted by employees, family members, friends and customers.
In the last seven years, about 500 Cedars have been planted in their natural habitat, but the difficulty is that the trees take about 30 years to produce their first seeds.
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