Updated environmental guidelines for commercial forestry in South Africa released
Forestry South Africa (FSA) has released the latest edition of its Environmental Guidelines for Commercial Forestry Plantations in South Africa, providing best management practice recommendations for minimising the impact of forest operations on the environment.
Over the last few years, there have been several developments in South African legislation and international forest certification schemes. At the same time, the role of forests in a carbon economy has meant forest management has been gaining increased attention.
The latest version of the guidelines begins with an explanation of the changes in the country’s environmental laws that underpin the forestry industry’s environmental stewardship.
The following chapters describe how forestry managers can achieve and maintain legal compliance. It includes information on chemicals and pesticide uses, carbon calculations, climate change implications and the inclusion of new chapters on emergency incidents and disaster management, greenhouse gas reporting, regulations for hazardous chemical agents and integrated pest management.
The Environmental Guidelines is a substantial document. FSA has developed useful infographics outlining the content of the chapters.
The document and infographics are available at HYPERLINK "https://www.forestrysouthafrica.co.za/2021-environmental-guidelines/"https://www.forestrysouthafrica.co.za/2021-environmental-guidelines/.
The journey to modern silviculture systems
Muedanyi Ramantswana informs the crowd about the order of business at the field day
The second day of the Silviculture 4.0: Smart Technology from Nursery to Field conference moved from focusing on nurseries to the nitty gritty of getting the plants into the prepared soil and ensuring their survival as cost-effectively as possible.
The three-day event was hosted by Nelson Mandela University (NMU's) Forsilvitech, represented by Ellepot South Africa's Shaun Biggs and Dr Muedanyi Ramantswana of NMU. Modernisation and automation of silviculture operations, global trends, soil preparation for planting, planting systems, weeding, fertilising, remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) and productivity were the main topics under the microscope.
Mondi
A regular speaker at precision forestry events, Dr Dean Da Costa from Mondi described the background to Mondi's journey in modernising its silviculture operations since 2012. He said the drivers are safety considerations such as ergonomics, productivity, quality, social responsibility and cost savings.
Dean said Mondi's strategic modernisation goal was to "Optimise timber volumes by growing the correct tree species on a sustainable basis through planned and documented processes".
The technical aspect focuses on overcoming steep slope and rough terrain challenges, integrating pitting, planting, and fertilising technologies, and considering the costs of mechanised and semi-mechanised operations on productivity and quality improvements.
The move from manual to motor-manual or mechanised silviculture improves working conditions, eliminates safety risks, upskills the workforce and improves productivity.
Dean emphasised the need for a clear silviculture strategy because it impacts the company's value chain. Mondi has and continues to invest in research site genotype matching, residue management, site preparation, planting, blanking, coppicing, plant maintenance and forest protection.
Sibusiso Sibanyoni presented Mondi's modern pre-canopy weeding operations. The company has embraced technologies including various boom sprayers, tracked John Deere and New Holland tractors, Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) (commonly known as drones), boom sprayers with lances or dribble bards and manual tools.
Sibusiso said the next step is enhancing data analysis capabilities using digital tools, integrating systems, partnerships with machinery and herbicide manufacturers, and standardising operations.
Global trends
Dr Muedanyi Ramantswana from NMU spoke about the global modern silviculture trends. The change drivers are health and safety, escalating costs, quality and productivity improvements, social challenges, environmental issues and better adherence to certification body requirements.
Muedanyi said that globally, in 2035, most silviculture operations will still be manual; however, technology will influence them. Companies must be well informed about the latest technologies, have a clear silviculture strategy, constantly gather and analyse data from their operations, and adapt and improve.
Mulching
Dr Jacob Crous from Sappi Forest's land management research programme spoke about the benefits and disadvantages of mulching on early tree growth. Soil fertility is a concern because the treatments impact soil's chemical, physical and biological properties.
Sappi's research found that mulching improves soil moisture in dry conditions and conserves organic matter and nutrients. The survival rate of trees planted in burnt soil was 79.8% compared with 88.9% in mulched soil.
Jacob acknowledged there are downsides to mulching apart from its expense. However, "mulching should be the preferred slash-management practice. More research is needed to understand why not all sites respond positively to mulching, find ways to reduce mulching costs and find equipment that can work on steep slopes".
Mechanised planting
Dr Rafael Ribeiro Soler from Bracke Forest's presentation was about flat, moderate, and steep terrain planting technologies. He introduced the Bracke planters for excavators, which feature a slow-release fertiliser applicator and irrigation options.
Bracke P11.b for 14 and 20-ton excavators can plant up to 300 seedlings per hour. It holds seedling containers with a standard capacity of 196 seedlings (60mm) and an option for 100 seedlings (75mm).
Bracke P12.b for 20 to 24 tons excavators plants up to 250 seedlings per hour.
Bracke P22.b is designed for excavators weighing 24 tons and planting up to 600 seedlings per hour, with a similar container plant capacity to the P11.b and P12.b.
The D61 planter is coupled to the Komatsu D61 bulldozer for application on flat terrain. The planting unit weighs 950kg and can plant up to 900 seedlings per hour. It has georeferencing capabilities for accurate planting.
Fanie Viljoen from Novelquip Forestry shared insights on the company's journey towards a mechanised planter where the focus is on quality before quantity.
In 2021, Novelquip partnered with Ponsse and Epec to develop the world's first forwarder-based planter. The concept machine has been tested in South Africa and by Suzano in Brazil. It consists of a four-head planter built on the Ponsse Buffalo forwarder featuring four self-contained planting units.
The fully automatic machine feeds seedlings from cassettes to the planting heads that make the pits, place the seedlings, firm the soil, irrigate and restart. It has two planting modes:
Plant only achieves 1100 seedlings per hour
Pit and plant achieve 640 seedlings per hour.
The machine operates for 95 minutes before it needs to be replenished in the field in a process that takes about 12 minutes.
Fanie said the present planting quality achieved with the concept machine is 90%; however, they are pushing for 98%.
Data-driven technology
Duncan Fryer from Stihl continued the emphasis on technology. He spoke about the Stihl Smart Connector, a cloud-based system that captures the machines' usage data and transmits it via Bluetooth to the STIHL Connected App on a smartphone or tablet within range. The App stores and submits the data to the Stihl cloud via Wi-Fi or mobile network. The portal allows for easy management of fleet performance and management data.
Roedolf Nieuwenhuis from Cropwatch Africa discussed using advanced data-driven technology for pest and disease detection. High-resolution satellite imagery enables large-scale monitoring of forest areas. Drones with multispectral or thermal sensors enhance this data by conducting aerial surveillance. Geographic information system (GIS) mapping integrates the data to identify pest hotspots and disease-prone zones.
Ground-based sensors and weather stations provide critical real-time data on local microclimates. Roedolf said modern forest managers should combine advanced technologies and AI for a holistic, data-driven approach to early detection, precision interventions, sustainable practices, and adaptive management of pests and diseases.
Santiago Ferrando from Uruguay spoke about the benefits of using the STA logger system. It is an integrated data logging attachment that fits certain knapsack and boom sprayer brands. It records the location, time, herbicide application events, and area sprayed and categorises data into groups (like weed types).
Data is uploaded to the cloud, processed and delivered to his desktop or mobile device. It assists decision-making, letting his company achieve 95% traceability in planting, replanting, and replacement operations.
Chemical applications
Sean McKenzie from Silvix spoke about the operational productivity of infield equipment and ergonomic standards for operator comfort and efficiency. He highlighted a few of the company's products:
The motorised 15-litre knapsack is equipped with a 3m aluminium boom with different nozzles and application rates
The ergonomic FAKA Plenty planting tool and the 18-litre Squam backpack.
The Bendi Bar for direct application of glyphosate without drift
Sean introduced the company's latest product, the Nutree Bag, a precise fertiliser application. One bag in the hole while planting contains enough controlled-release fertiliser for a year.
Matt Houghting from PACSys said the benefits of using drones (RPAS) in silviculture operations are invaluable. Drones can be programmed to deliver precise amounts of pesticide in specified areas. There is limited spray drift because it is as low as 3m above the plants. It is productive, fuel-efficient and safe. He put the 40-litre drone through its paces on the field day in a demonstration that impressed the attendees.
Comparisons
NMU MSc student Mduduzi Junior Khoza discussed his research comparing the operational productivity and quality of manual and semi-mechanised planting methods. It compared manual planting tubes (pitless) and semi-mechanised high-pressure planting methods on burnt areas with different slash loads.
The results found higher productivity for the manual method (50 and 60% higher) across the different slash conditions. Regarding planting quality, both methods achieved high planting success rates (90%), with manual planting having a slight edge (+3%). Junior concluded that while manual planting methods continue to be productive, there is significant potential for semi-mechanised approaches in certain conditions, supporting ongoing initiatives to modernise planting techniques.
Aphelele Angel Goldsmith from Stellenbosch University said his research aimed to assess the effectiveness of slash burning and disc harrowing on fuel load and stand productivity of Eucalypts in Mpumalanga.
Angel found disc harrowing played a crucial role in fire management by breaking the horizontal continuity of fuel, which reduces the fire spread rate and fuel loading, thereby lowering fire intensity. However, the study noted a lack of quantified evidence regarding the long-term effects of these practices.
The study highlighted that repeated disc harrowing and prescribed burning influence root distribution patterns, significantly affecting the overall growth of Eucalyptus grandis × nitens, tree stand density, volume, and biomass production.
The last speaker of the event was Thembinkosi Zulu from NMU. He compared the operational productivity of pitting machine operators on burnt and mulched sites while also assessing the quality of the pits they produced in depth and diameter.
Using an M-PAT single-head pitting machine mounted on a Volvo EC55B compact excavator, data was collected from two compartments with similar terrain and soil types but different residue statuses (90% burnt versus 80% mulched). Each operator was assigned 10 plots, with 160 pits per plot, and productivity and pit quality were recorded.
The results showed that mulched sites had higher productivity (158 pits/plot) than burnt sites (136 pits/plot). More experienced operators consistently outperformed others, with productivity ranging from 200 to 600 pits per hour. Pit quality was strongly linked to operator experience rather than the specific site conditions, with more experienced operators producing a higher proportion of good-quality pits.
Thembinkosi concluded that operator experience significantly impacts productivity and pit quality and that marking planting positions on mulched sites increased efficiency.
By Joy Crane & Justin Nyakudanga
Back to basics focus for KZN wattle growers
Friedel Eggers of UCL urges foresters to plant the best black wattle clones on the right sites to reap the benefits of good bark and timber yields
NCT Forestry organised an informative field day in October for its members and farmers in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Midlands region. Terry Wolhuter of Elands Spruit Farm in New Hanover hosted the event.
Roger Poole, from NCT, explained that the wattle farming area in KZN has been decreasing over the past decade due to various factors such as land returned to new owners who are not interested in tree farming, wattle being vulnerable to pests and diseases, and damage caused by wild and domesticated animals.
The theme for the day was 'Back to Basics', meaning it is crucial to focus on getting the basic principles of tree farming right to ensure the health of your trees and to get a return on your investment.
Open for business. Rob Thompson delivered the good news that NCT’s Richards Bay mill is openNCT’s Greytown District Manager Cliff Walton provided info on the log specs required by the mills
The day was divided into two parts. Indoors, attendees heard presentations on pests and diseases by Brett Hurley from the Forestry & Agriculture Biotechnology Institute (FABI) and the demand for pulpwood during the 2024-2025 financial season by Rob Thompson of NCT.
The outdoor session included presentations from NCT's tree farming manager, Craig Norris, on wattle clones, planting, pruning, thinning, and maintenance by Friedel Eggers of UCL, as well as the timber specs required by the NCT mills for harvested timber by NCT's Greytown area manager Cliff Walton.
INDOOR SESSION
Wattle pathogens
Brett Hurley of FABI and the Tree Protection Cooperative Programme (TPCP) started the day's programme with information on the latest pest and pest-related diseases affecting wattle trees.
These include the wattle rust fungus, which infects the foliage of trees and stems of saplings, flowers, and seed pods. Telia, resembling brown powdery masses, develop dry on young host tissue but become slimy under wet conditions. In severe cases, wattle rust can reduce the growth of young black wattle trees by up to 40%. A lot of work is being done through the Institute for Commercial Forestry Research (ICFR) to breed rust-tolerant trees.
NCT’s Craig Norris provided info on the growth performance of the latest black wattle clones and the benefits of planting green wattleSeedlings or clones are planted in a rip-line created by this customised ripper at Eland Spruit Farm
Other noteworthy pathogens in the KZN region are Ceratocystis wilt and Phytophthora species. The Ceratocystis wilt is a relatively new disease that affects wounds on black wattle. Hence, it is crucial when pruning to make clean cuts and avoid unnecessary stem damage, as these can become entry points of this pathogen.
Phytophthora spp is present in the midlands area, causing leaf and root rot. The Tree Protection Cooperative Programme (TPCP) is doing research to gain a better understanding of this pathogen.
Wattle pests
Brett said tree pests affecting wattle includethe Melanterius seed weevil, Aqrilus grandis, a wood-boring jewel beetle, and white grubs.
The Melanterius weevils are seed feeders that lay eggs and feed on wattle seed. Lately, it has been noted that there has been a shift in its feeding pattern, and it is now infesting and feeding on young shoots and twigs of the black wattle. The weevils typically have one generation per year, coinciding with seed maturity. The Melanterius weevil is present in the Howick region.
The Agrilus grandis jewel beetle is a wood borer in the Melmoth region. It is native to the South and East African areas. It bores underneath the bark and leaves a network of tunnels. Researchers are trying to find out why it is now attacking wattle.
Ongoing work is being done on white grubs to learn more about the different species and what drives them. Brett requested growers to alert the FABI team if they detect heavy white grub infestations on their farms and plantations.
Brett said FABI’s Diagnostic Clinic is open to NCT and TWK members and partners free of charge. Individuals and organisations that are not members are charged a fee for the service. The clinic identifies plant pests and diseases so that appropriate management strategies can be adopted.
Pulpwood demand 2024-2025
NCT's Rob Thompson began his presentation with a reality check: "If you thought we were the only ones with problems, please think again".
He said 46,000 American workers in all 36 ports went on strike for about four days recently, demanding a wage increase of up to 50%. The strike cost America over $5 billion per day and caused shortages of items ranging from bananas to essential goods.
Shifting the focus closer to home, Rob announced that NCT Richards Bay Mill's two chipping lines are operating well. Durban Wood Chips has recently reopened after a successful mill service shutdown in September, with the damaged vessel loader now back in operation.
Rob noted that NCT's current challenges included the strong Rand-Dollar exchange rate (R17,44 on 8 October 2024) and the hard and dry wattle being received by the mill, which negatively affected chipping blades. This old stock has been significantly drawn down at the mills and NCT farm depots.
Pulpwood demand for the 2024 – 2025 financial period indicates that Durban Wood Chips will require an estimated 500,000 tons of wattle and 120,000 tons of Eucalyptus smithii. Richards Bay Wood Chip would need about 1,3 million tons of wattle. Thompson hoped 2025 would be prosperous for NCT, its members, and partners.
IN THE FIELD
A customised planter applies water and fertiliser when sowing seeds on the Wolhuter farmTerry Wolhuter, owner of Eland Spruit farm near New Hanover in the KZN midlands, hosted the NCT wattle field day
Wattle clones
NCT's Craig Norris explained why planting clones in modern forestry is preferable. Wattle clones are genetically identical which means they grow better, there is more uniformity and need less thinning. For example, rust-tolerant clones have a higher MAI (mean annual increment) than commercial seedlings.
He advised farmers to plant the frost-tolerant clones at the exposed valley bottoms where frost occurs. “Frost tolerant does not mean frost-resistant”, he warned, “they are more likely to survive severe frost events”.
SP644 was the first commercial rust-tolerant clone released in SA and was fast-tracked to combat the impact of wattle rust. It shows increased growth and better uniformity than commercial black wattle seedlings.
Craig said AF01 is currently the best-performing rust-tolerant wattle clone. Corrective pruning may be necessary due to heavier branching.
JC108 is the latest rust-tolerant clone to be released. It is similar to AF01 but with a better stem form. FW54 is currently the only frost-tolerant wattle clone on the market. It is explicitly bred for rust tolerance but shows no growth advantage over commercial seedlings.
Craig urged growers to remember:
Plant rust tolerant clones (SPs, AFs or JCs) on good wattle sites or sites prone to rust infection and NOT in frost areas.
Avoid sites exposed to windthrow and don’t plant root-bound seedlings.
Planting espacement of 1.8m x 3m is critical especially for the SP644 clone susceptible to windthrow.
Silviculture
Friedel Eggers of UCL stressed the importance of good site preparation before planting, including the correct pit depth and width (25cm x 25cm) and pre-plant weeding (weed-free pits). Planting espacement of 3m x 1.8m is recommended for clones, and you need to maintain the compartment weed-free for the first year.
Callum MacKenzie of Midlands Spraychem demos the Faka-Plenty planting tubeTwo two-person teams equipped with Stihl earth augurs can make as many pits in a day as a manual planting team of 12 people using picks
Pruning should be done in winter before the trees are two metres tall. Prune only the double leaders and branches competing with the prominent stem leader. Do not over-prune, as it can inhibit tree growth. Make clean cuts, not too close to the main stem, to avoid infection.
Friedel said that if the above is observed and the site is ideal for wattle, it is easy to get yields of up to 120 tonnes per hectare from wattle clones. This produces a nett standing value (after harvesting and transport costs are deducted) of roughly R90,000/hectare.
Specifications
NCT’s Greytown District Manager Cliff Walton provided info on the log specs required by the mills
NCT's Cliff Walton outlined the timber specifications for harvesting wattle. Logs must not be fire-damaged as it is difficult for the mills to bleach burnt timber. The correct length for logs is 2.4m, with diameters between 5cm and 40cm. There must be no knots, bark, and mud. The logs must be delivered 4 to 10 weeks after felling.
Ensure that the logs are free of contamination like nails, steel, plastic, fungal growth, oil or anything else that may negatively influence pulp quality. Other factors to watch out for include drought-stressed timber, which is identified by low moisture and the presence of wood borers.
Thanks to the sponsors
The field day ended with a braai and drinks courtesy of NCT and other event sponsors, including Stihl, Midlands Spray Chem, Sunshine Seedlings, TWK, Rhino Charcoal, Rolfes Agri, and Eland Earth Moving.
The Shire Eco Lodge and nursery focuses on sustainability
Rob Scott uses the Wood-Mizer to cut wood for his building and furniture projects and custom orders
Rob Scott, owner of Shire Eco Lodge near Stutterheim, says the curved shape of the chalets is unlike standard timber buildings and posed so many problems that it took over a year to complete the shell of the first lodge.
The design of the chalets takes its cue from nature. "I wanted the design of the chalets and their location on the margins of the indigenous Xholora forest to be a win-win for all", Rob explains.
Construction started in 2004, and the first chalet was up and running in 2008. The 20-acre Shire Eco Lodge and indigenous nursery is owned by entrepreneur Rob Scott and his family in South Africa's Eastern Cape Province.
Recalling scenes of the film version of the fertile vales of the shire in JRR Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, the Shire Eco Lodge is home in the peaceful afro-montane forests of the Amatola mountain range. The rich trove of waterfalls, mountain streams, ancient yellowwood, stinkwood and lemonwood forests, surrounded by pockets of fynbos, leaves an indelible impression on visitors.
An inside view of a chalet built by Rob ScottRob Scott in his furniture factory
Lessons learnt
The curved A-frame timber chalets are uniquely designed and built. Rob recounts several obstacles they had to overcome because of inexperience. These included timber bending techniques, the value of bracing, bent timber breaking and bending glass windows.
"My father, Hamish, supplied the solution to the breaking problem. Laminating thin strips of wood together. This is a fascinating process and has, in fact, become an art. It worked well and is now used for other parts of the building's anatomy", explains Rob.
"Once all the laminated ribs are in place, the wall planks are fastened over them in layers, moving upwards as you go. Once the walls are complete, the roof ribs (about 50 laminated bow-shaped beams) are attached to them, giving the roof a curved shape and Asian-like appearance.
"It was then time to start the interior work, which also took time because all the walls, cupboards, etcetera had to be profiled in the curved shape of the walls. There was a new lesson every day. I became an electrician, plumber and painter in a few months."
Wood-Mizer
Rob's reliance on buying sawn timber from suppliers sparked the idea of getting a sawmill to produce sawn timber. It was further strengthened by the uncommon widths and thicknesses needed for the curved and bent components of the chalets.
He decided to invest in a Wood-Mizer LT15GO portable sawmill, which lets him move it to wherever it's needed to cut fallen hardwoods and invasive alien trees.
Some of the blocks, slabs and boards are sold as is. The bulk of the sawn wood goes to Rob's furniture workshop. It is supplemented with heavy, fine-grained spruce stringers sourced from Mercedes-Benz in nearby East London. He uses the wood to build custom furniture for his projects and discerning customers nationwide.
Shire Bulbs is an indigenous nursery selling bulbs, plants and trees across South Africa
Shire Bulbs nursery
A brief stint at a plant nursery during a gap year in the UK kindled Rob's passion for botany, laying the foundation for the start of Shire Bulbs in 2003.
The Shire Bulbs' initial successes quickly duplicated into further expansion, with the current bulb production site now comprising four shade houses and expansive open beds. It produces over 150 species of indigenous bulbs that are shipped to customers worldwide. The international acclaim is proof of Shire Bulbs' successes.
But it's about far more than the monetary value of bulbs for Rob. The business partners with Fruit and Trees for Africa, a Non-Profit Organisation that addresses food security, environmental sustainability, and greening.
"Many of the plants we grow are threatened, and so in addition to the conservation and protection of wild populations, we have prioritised the conservation of the rarer species through cultivation", he says.
Our guests get to experience this unique location to revitalise tired spirits. At the same time, The Shire and local communities benefit from tourists visiting and job opportunities created," Rob continues.
The unique chalets at the Shire Eco Lodge blend into the forms and shapes of their environmentThe Shire Eco Lodge is in a peaceful valley near Stutterheim in the Eastern Cape
Organic farming
Organic farming is another arm of Rob's vision to harness business as a tool for greater sustainability, community upliftment, and self-reliance. His mother, Monica, is his partner in this part of the business, which produces organic fruits, vegetables, and crops that are sold and delivered free to nearby communities that need fresh produce.
Sawdust and chips from the furniture shops are also used as animal bedding for Rob and Monica's geese and duck flocks, allowed to roam free to rid the crops of pests. The rest of the waste is sold to nearby farmers, who use it to improve the health and well-being of their animals.
"We have an abundance that we like to share with the community to ensure that they also benefit from our bounty," Rob says, smiling.
Weston Agricultural College wins the Forest Rehabilitation Challenge
The Weston Agricultural College boys celebrate their victory in the tree planting challenge at Ferncliffe forest
Husqvarna recently teamed up with a conservation NGO and two prominent KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) schools to host a Forest Rehabilitation Challenge in the Ferncliffe natural forest on the edge of Pietermaritzburg.
Ferncliffe is a beautiful mist belt forest that has been heavily invaded by alien vegetation that is becoming a significant threat to biodiversity.
The challenge involved learners from Durban High School (DHS) and Weston Agricultural College competing in a tree-planting race designed to raise awareness of the need for environmental stewardship and contribute to the restoration of the Ferncliffe forest at the same time.
"We were truly touched by the enthusiasm of DHS and Weston, who signed up despite the boys' busy schedules and approaching school holidays," said Timothy Isabirye, Husqvarna South Africa's Marketing Manager.
The Husqvarna team partnered with local conservation NGO Ferncliffe Forest Wilding to host the event.
"With our sales office in Pietermaritzburg, it was natural to give back to our immediate community", explained Timothy. "And our commitment to sustainability and local environmental protection aligned perfectly with NPO Ferncliffe Forest Wilding's mission, making them the perfect partner for this initiative".
Janine Stephen, a representative from Ferncliffe Forest Wilding, said, "We were really excited when Husqvarna approached us with the idea of the challenge. Collaborating with schools and businesses like Husqvarna to protect and restore endangered mist belt forest habitat is exactly the kind of community-driven action we need in a world where so much biodiversity is threatened".
Competitive fun
In an exhilarating race, boys from each school, armed with spades and gloves provided by Husqvarna, were tasked with digging 15 holes as quickly as possible. As expected, the competitive spirit was high. Still, focusing on making a positive difference in the environment stayed at the top of everyone's mind.
In the end, it was Weston Agricultural College that emerged victorious. They earned bragging rights and a Husqvarna battery-operated leaf blower worth R10,000, including accessories for their school and a trophy to celebrate their achievement.
The DHS boys who participated in the tree planting challenge
DHS didn't go home empty-handed. They were rewarded with a R5,000 e-commerce voucher to use on the Husqvarna South Africa website. Participating learners also received a certificate recognising their contribution to this impactful initiative.
Fantastic opportunity
"This challenge was a fantastic opportunity for our learners to step up and contribute to something greater," said Barry Coskey, DHS Head of Marketing and Admissions. "At DHS, we aim to develop responsible, motivated young men with strong moral convictions, and today, they truly embodied those values".
Amber Pollock, Head of Marketing for Weston, said, "At Weston, we love embracing challenges, particularly those safeguarding our environment. We also strive to instil a strong work ethic and sense of responsibility in our learners, and this initiative provided an excellent opportunity for them to rise to the occasion."
The event has laid the foundation for what is hoped to become an annual event, expanding its reach and impact in the coming years. "This is just the beginning. We're committed to making this challenge an annual celebration where schools come together to compete and create real, lasting environmental change," Timothy concluded.
The Husqvarna Schools Forest Rehabilitation Challenge is part of the brand's sustainability and community engagement commitment.
On a mission to protect and conserve South Africa’s medicinal plants
By Joy Crane
Dr Nicky Jones inspecting Warburgia plants at the Sappi Shaw Research Centre nursery. Pic by Sappi
Indigenous trees, their stems partially or entirely stripped of their bark and left to die in Cape Town's Newlands Forest and areas like the upper reaches of the iconic Kirstenbosch Garden, is a sad sight that greets walkers and hikers all too often.
Organisations like Friends of Table Mountains and Newlands Forest Conservation have joined forces with other community groups, companies, media, citizen scientists and the South African National Parks to educate traditional healers about sustainable bark stripping.
Sappi says the traditional medicine trade in South Africa is a significant industry, valued at R2.9 billion annually and accounting for 5.6% of the national health budget. It supports 27 million consumers and provides a livelihood for at least 133,000 people, many of whom are rural women.
DESTRUCTIVE HARVESTING
However, the trade is at risk due to the unsustainable harvesting, often illegally, of indigenous plant material from South Africa's national parks like Newlands, important conservation corridors maintained by forestry companies, and elsewhere involving around 771 species.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 80% of people in Africa use traditional medicine, and over 82% of urban and rural black South Africans rely on these practices.
The report "Economics of the Traditional Medicine Trade in South Africa" (Mander, M; Ntuli, L; Diederichs, N; Mavundle, K) underscores the urgent need to protect tree species used for medicinal purposes. Popular species are becoming locally extinct and are being traded at high prices, raising serious concerns about the future of the traditional medicine trade and its benefits.
SAPPI RTES
In KwaZulu-Natal, the Sappi Rare, Threatened, and Endangered Species (RTES) Programme contributes to conservation efforts.
"By raising awareness about the importance of protecting medicinal plants and the environment, Sappi aims to promote a culture of conservation and sustainability", comments Giovanni Sale, Sustainability Manager, Sappi Southern Africa.
The RTES Programme focuses on species identified by scientific methods and organisations like the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), ensuring these species, especially those used in traditional medicine, are protected from unsustainable harvesting.
PEPPERBARK PROJECT
The Sappi RTES Programme, initiated in 2013, initially focused on the Warburgia salutaris (Pepperbark) project near the western borders of the Kruger National Park (KNP). At that time, the situation was so dire that a grove of these trees in KNP had to be protected by armed guards to protect them from muti poachers.
Traditional Healers Workshop in Kwazulu Natal. Pic supplied by Sappi
Since 2015, the KNP and its partners have distributed 85,000 Warburgia salutaris trees, starting with just 40 in the first year. Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife and its partners have distributed 25,000 trees since 2019, achieving an 85% survival rate for the trees planted and monitored by distribution agencies.
Giovanni says the programme adopts a team approach, working with recognised experts, including social ecologists mandated by government legislation, who work directly with traditional healers and their communities. This collaboration makes the extension of the project a natural fit.
"The Sappi Shaw Forestry Research Centre is proud to play an instrumental role in developing new methods to secure better germination and propagation of the Pepper-bark tree. Due to the programme's success, we are extending that support, and other species have been identified for phase two of the project", said Giovanni.
AFRICAN CHERRY, BLACK STINKWOOD AND ASSEGAI TREES
The programme is being extended to include Prunus africana (African Cherry), Ocotea bullata (Black Stinkwood), Vachellia xanthophloea (Fever Tree), and Curtisia dentata (Assegai Tree). The Sappi Shaw research team is conducting trials on African cherry, black stinkwood, and the assegai tree.
Sappi has extended its research in medicinal trees at its research nursery. Pic by Joy Crane
Other partnerships and collaborations within the programme include academic institutions, the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) nursery, the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) in Mbombela, and national and regional parks like KNP and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife.
Willem Boshoff, a founder of Newlands Forest Conservation, says Cape beech, Cape holly, assegai, stinkwood, wild peach, red alder, hard pear and other trees are targeted by strippers.
SUSTAINABLE HARVESTING
In an interview with Don Pinnock of Daily Maverick in February, Willem said, "There are two dynamics involved. One is access to traditional medicine that may be cheaper, the other is traditional beliefs.
"Becoming critical of a cultural practice is very sensitive terrain. We're not critical of a practice that has been going on for centuries, we are critical about it being done in a completely unsustainable manner, and then going from unsustainable to extremely destructive. For some, it's simply a commercial criminal enterprise".
Stripped of their bark and waiting to die. Pic by Willem Boshoff and Daily MaverickBark stripping in Newlands Forest. Pic by Friends of Newlands Forest
Willem told Don they found a solution in Newlands: to paint the trees with diluted PVA. Protecting these species is vital for ensuring that medicinal plants can be used sustainably for future generations while maintaining biodiversity.
Scovia Akello wins the She Is Forestry Postgrad Award
Scovia Akello measuring leaf area in the Stellenbosch University lab
Stellenbosch University's Department of Forestry and Wood Science's Scovia Akello, a PhD student supervised by Prof Brand Wessels since 2021, won the 2024 She is Forestry Postgraduate Award.
Brand nominated Scovia for being "an integral part of the department's social fabric," for her initiative, tenacity in facing challenges, and academic excellence.
"One example relates to the equipment required for her research project. Scovia needed six imported anemometers generally used in scientific field experiments that we could not afford. After nearly six months and some engineering help, she successfully produced solar-powered anemometers with automated data back-up at less than R5000 per unit," he explained.
Solar-powered anemometers with automated data backup
"There is a good chance of bumping into Scovia in the institute for a witty chat almost any time of day or night and almost any day of the week or weekend. She is an extremely diligent and focused individual who values excellence in her work. Her PhD is well on track for completion in December 2024".
Scovia hails from Agago, a district in the northern part of Uganda. She achieved excellent results at school, earned a first-class honours degree at Makerere University Kampala, and won the Overall Best Contribution to the Program, MSc Environment and Development prize at the University of Edinburgh.
Scovia is researching how different factors, including fertilisation, irrigation, and wind (the reason she needed the anemometers), influence the density, microfibril angle and Modulus of Elasticity properties of five South African pine species and hybrids:
Pinus radiata var. radiata D. Don.
Pinus elliottii Engelm.
Pinus elliottii × Pinus caribaea var. hondurensis.
Pinus patula × Pinus tecunumanii (low elevation), and
She is conducting the research on very young (less than three years) trees and "treenagers" in a 13-year-old plantation.
Scovia measuring DBH in the wind trialScovia Akello and Prof Brand Wessels at the tree trials in August 2024
"The award is an honour and a humbling privilege’," Scovia said in her acceptance address. "Thank you, Prof Brand, for taking me as one of your postgraduate students. Your guidance, support, and encouragement have been pivotal to my journey. Thank you to the department for creating a conducive environment for postgrad students and being consistent accountability partners for us".
