Protected trees in South Africa
March 13, 2015
The iconic Baobab (Adansonia digitata), a protected tree in South Africa.
In terms of section 15(1) of the National Forests Act, 1998, no person may cut, disturb, damage or destroy any protected tree; or possess, collect, remove, transport, export, purchase, sell, donate or in any other manner acquire or dispose of any protected tree or any product derived from a protected tree, except under a licence or exemption granted by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
List of Protected Tree Species under the National Forest Act, 1998 (Act No. 84 of 1998)
| BOTANICAL NAMES | ENGLISH COMMON NAMES | OTHER COMMON NAMES | NATIONAL TREE NUMBER |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acacia erioloba | Camel thorn | Kameeldoring | 168 |
| Acacia haematoxylon | Grey camel thorn | Vaalkameeldoring, Mokholo | 169 |
| Adansonia digitata | Baobab | Kremetart, Seboi, Mowana | 467 |
| Afzelia quanzensis | Pod mahogany | Peulmahonie, Inkehli | 207 |
| Balanites subsp. maughamii | Torchwood | Groendoring, Ugobandlovu | 251 |
| Barringtonia racemosa | Powder-puff tree | Poeierkwasboom, Iboqo | 524 |
| Boscia albitrunca | Shepherd's tree | Witgat, Umvithi | 122 |
| Brachystegia spiciformis | Msasa | Msasa | 198.1 |
| Breonadia salicina | Matumi | Mingerhout, Umfomfo | 684 |
| Bruguiera gymnorrhize | Black mangrove | Swartwortelboom, IsiHlobane | 527 |
| Cassipourea swaziensis | Swazi onionwood | Swazi uiehout | 531.1 |
| Catha edulis | Bushman's tea | Boesmanstee, Umhlwazi | 404 |
| Ceriops tagal | Indian mangrove | Indiese wortelboom, Isinkahe | 525 |
| Cleistanthus schlechteri | False tamboti | Bastertamboti, Umzithi | 320 |
| Colubrine nicholsonii | Pondo weeping thorn | Pondo-treurdoring | 453.8 |
| Combretum imberbe | Leadwood | Hardekiil, Impondondlovu | 539 |
| Curtisia dentata | Assegai | Assegaai, Umagunda | 570 |
| Elaeodendron transvaalensis | Bushveld saffron | Bosveld-saffraan, Ingwavuma | 416 |
| Erythrophysa transvaalensis | Bushveld red balloon | Bosveld-rooiklapperbos | 436.2 |
| Euclea pseudebenus | Ebony guarri | Ebbeboom-ghwarrie | 598 |
| Ficus trichopoda | Swamp fig | Moerasvy, Umvubu | 54 |
| Leucadendron argenteum | Silver tree, | Silwerboom | 77 |
| Lumnitzera racemosa | Tonga mangrove | Tonga-wortelboom, isiKhahaesibomvu | 552 |
| Lydenburgia abbottii | Pondo bushman's tea | Pondo-boesmanstee | 407 |
| Lydenburgia cassinoides | Sekhukhuni bushman's tea | Sekhukhuni-boesmanstee | 406 |
| Mimusops caffra | Coastal red milkwood | Kusrooimelkhout, Umkhakhayi | 583 |
| Newtonia hildebrandtii | Lebombo wattle | Lebombo-wattel, Umfomothi | 191 |
| Ocotea bullata | Stinkwood | Stinkhout, Umnukane | 118 |
| Ozoroa namaquensis | Gariep resin tree | Gariep-harpuisboom | 373.2 |
| Philenoptera violacea | Apple-leaf | Appelblaar, isiHomohomo | 238 |
| Pittosporum viridiflorum | Cheesewood | Kasuur, Umfusamvu | 139 |
| Podocarpus elongatus | Breede river yellowwood | Breeriviergeelhout | 15 |
| Podocarpus falcatus (Afrocarpus falcatus) | Outeniqua yellowwood | Outeniquageelhout, Umsonti | 16 |
| Podocarpus henkelii | Henkel's yellowwood | Henkel se geelhout, Umsonti | 17 |
| Podocarpus latifolius | Real yellowwood | Regte-geelhout, Umkhoba | 18 |
| Prota comptonii | Saddleback sugarbush | Barberton-suikerbos | 88 |
| Protea curvata | Serpentine sugarbush | Serpentynsuikerbos | 88.1 |
| Prunus africana | Red stinkwood | Rooistinkhout, Umdumezuz | 147 |
| Pterocarpus angolensis | Wild teak | Kiaat, Umvangazi | 236 |
| Rhizophora mucronata | Red mangrove | Rooiwortelboom | 526 |
| Sclerocarya birrea subsp. caffra | Marula | Maroela, Umganu | 360 |
| Securidaca longepedunculata | Violet tree | Krinkhout, Mmaba | 303 |
| Sideroxylon inerme subsp. inerme | White milkwood | Witmelkhout, Umakhwelafingqane | 579 |
| Tephrosia pondoensis | Pondo poison pea | Pondo-gifertjie | 226.1 |
| Warburgia salutaris | Pepper-bark tree | Peperbasboom, isiBaha | 488 |
| Widdringtonia cedarbergensis | Clanwilliam cedar | Clanwilliamseder | 19 |
| Widdringtonia schwarzii | Willowmore cedar | Baviaanskloofseder | 21 |
A magnificent Camel thorn (Acacia erioloba) in Kathu in the North West Province. The Kathu forest was the first Protected Woodland to be declared in South Africa. (Photo: Jacoline Mans)
Is the Lala Palm tree protected please
HI We have a Elephant herbal tree, or also known as Umbu tree, that is more than 60 yrs old. He is very big and is standing in between two boundries. More in our side. Could this tree of more than 60 yrs be protected. A new construction is gonne take place at the boundry. Very stressed out for the magnificant tree prptection. Please assist.
Is the oak tree also protected?
No, they are exotic. Some species can no longer be planted.
Is Silver Oak over 60 years protected
We have a very tall monkey puzzle (Araucaria) tree in our garden, which we would like to be removed (free) in exchange for the wood.
The tree is about 3-4 storage high
Is the wildfig tree protected?
The only fig tree that is protected in South Africa is the Ficus trichopoda, common name is swamp fig.
Please Refer to the National Forest Act, 1998 (Act No.84 of 1998) List of Protected species
We have a very tall monkey puzzle (Araucaria) tree in our garden, which we would like to be removed (free) in exchange for the wood.
The tree is about 3-4 storage high
Attached is a photo of the monkey puzzle (Araucaria)
We have a very tall monkey puzzle (Araucaria Araucana) tree in our garden, which we would like to be removed (free) in exchange for the wood.
The tree is about 3-4 storage high
Good day
What about Pepper Trees,the ones with the red corns,are they protected trees??
I don’t have any of them on my property,however my neighbours has quite a few of them,some planted along boundary wall,I must say the roots are destructive,caused immense damage so fare.How does a concerned home owner go above such matter especially if they are protected trees
Is Olienhout trees protected?