by Samora Chapman

Trees are more resilient than concrete. They can live for thousands of years, while civilizations are built and crumble around them. Even in our modern cities trees find a way to survive, to creep into the cracks and send their roots deep into the earth in search of water.

Yes, humans often build around them, recognising what's sacred, but sometimes trees actually force their way into the man-made environment – a seed lodges in a drain pipe, a branch sends cracks through a wall, roots tear a black tar road asunder.

Trees paint the grey city green. They provide shade, oxygen and balance. Here are some of Durban's more unusual city trees...

*Images © Samora Chapman