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MY TREE,
MY OXYGEN.
PLANT YOURS TODAY.
Trees are a vital defense against climate. Trees are carbon sinks. Trees are important for life.
Plant trees to address food security. Plant indigenous trees to save water. Plant trees to create jobs.
Tree planting can create work opportunities. One employee, one tree.
WHAT IS THE 1 MILLION TREES PROJECT?
The department is the custodian of the forestry function in the country. One of the key activities and functions in this regard is the implementation of the National Greening Programme. Currently, initiatives and interventions in this regard are implemented through the Ten Million Trees Programme which is a Presidential Flagship Project. The programme aims to plant Ten Million trees over a period of five years and is currently in the fourth year of implementation.
Therefore, the target is to plant at least two million trees annually. Previously, the DFFE focused mainly on tree planting in residential settlements, recreational facilities, parks and open spaces in line with Local Government Greening strategies and plans. However, the planting of the two million trees annually would need that the DFFE looks at this initiative in a broader context if greening is to address issues of climate change, beautification, improving the aesthetics of surroundings, rehabilitation of degraded areas, food security and creation of sustainable settlements amongst others. This broader context provides a good platform for the various role players to have a specific role, niche and align interventions towards the achievement of the bigger goal.
MAIN AIM | OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME
Addressing household food security by integrating fruit trees into food gardens.
Creation of recreational parks through tree planting and management of other green vegetation.
Planting trees to mitigate and adapt to climate change.
Creation of an aesthetically pleasing environment for residents.
Promotion of biodiversity in urban and rural settlements.
Promotion of tree planting.
Greening interventions undertaken to date have resulted in the following number of trees being planted:
TOTAL NUMBER:
The following issues need to be considered in the planting of the million trees:
Effort will be placed on large-scale tree planting initiatives. Rehabilitation or restoration of prioritized degraded areas using the spekboom has in the past contributed towards greening since most of the trees are planted as seedlings. The tree banks should maximise on the production of spekboom and other appropriate trees or plants for restoration purposes.
- Maintenance requirements and commitments needed pre- and post-planting (spades, water, stakes, compost).
- There must be a commitment for maintaining trees after planting to avoid losses.
- Trees must be suited to local climatic conditions: should not be planting exotic or invasive species (e.g. oak trees, jacarandas, syringa, gum trees, black wattle, honey mesquite)
- Can plant food trees (e.g. mango, avocado etc)
- Guidance needs to be provided on ideal tree planting conditions and methodology– usually double depth and breadth of the root ball of the individual tree specimen.
- Plant in suitable soil conditions (avoid clay soils which prevent suitable drainage)
TYPES OF TREES THAT CAN BE PLANTED IN EACH PROVINCE
To guide on the types of trees that can be planted in each province, the DFFE in consultation with SANBI, Agricultural Research Council and other stakeholders have developed a list of indigenous and fruit trees that can be considered for planting. Here is a list of trees that can be planted throughout the country according to agro-ecological zones and climatic conditions, which may be amended as the initiative unfolds.
» CATALOGUE OF NURSERIES IN SOUTH AFRICA [Xlsx - 166,5 kb]
TOP TEN INDIGENOUS SPECIES IN RANKING ORDER
OTHER INDIGENOUS SPECIES
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