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Trees
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85 guidesCamelthorn: protect existing trees and establish the next generation
Camelthorn, Vachellia erioloba, is a characteristic tree of dry southern African landscapes. Older references call it Acacia erioloba. Its shade, habitat and long life make protecting existing trees and young natural regeneration a useful starting point.
Baobab: choose a warm site and think in generations
An African baobab, Adansonia digitata, can become a remarkable long-lived tree. It is a landscape commitment with eventual food and habitat value, not a quick solution for a small vegetable garden. Start with climate, space and responsibility for the tree’s future.
Cottony cushion scale: inspect citrus before spraying again
White cottony material on citrus deserves a closer look. Cottony cushion scale is one possibility, but identifying the insect and its stage is more useful than repeatedly applying a general spray. This guide helps organise that inspection.
Fruit-tree rootstocks: ask what is beneath the graft
A grafted fruit tree combines a fruiting variety with a rootstock. The rootstock may be grown from seed or propagated clonally. Knowing both parts helps explain size, compatibility and site suitability; a graft alone does not reveal the root system’s origin.
Mulberry cuttings: turn a local success into a repeatable method
Mulberries can be propagated from cuttings, allowing a useful fruiting tree to be copied. The method’s success varies with species, variety, wood condition and nursery care. Start with a healthy known tree and a small labelled batch.
Air layering: root a branch before separating it
Air layering encourages roots on a branch while it is still attached to the parent plant. It can be useful for suitable woody plants, especially when ordinary cuttings are difficult. It is not necessary for every species or every propagation task.
A community tree nursery that keeps its knowledge with the plants
A small tree nursery can supply plants and become a place for shared learning. Its success is measured by suitable trees surviving after planting, not only by the number of bags filled or seedlings handed out.
Tree planting: check biodiversity before counting trees
Planting more trees is not automatically the same as restoring an ecosystem. Species, location, survival and the existing habitat matter. A useful planting plan asks what should improve and how the project will recognise that improvement.
Biomass between fruit trees: test the benefit and competition
Plants between fruit trees can provide mulch, cover and useful harvests. They also use water, light and labour. A small comparison helps you find a useful support planting without hiding its costs beneath a list of possible benefits.
Tree watering: check the root zone before adding a deep pipe
Deep watering means getting useful moisture to roots, not simply pouring water into the deepest hole. Before installing a pipe or changing the schedule, find out where water currently goes and whether the tree’s root ball is receiving it.
A fruit-tree guild that fits the water budget
A fruit-tree guild is a planned group of plants around a central tree. The aim is to combine useful functions, such as food, ground cover and habitat. In an arid garden, every additional plant must also earn its share of water and space.
Banana clumps: plan water and replacement stems
A banana planting is a sequence of stems, not a permanent fruiting trunk. Water, healthy planting material and room for replacement growth determine whether it becomes a useful crop. Begin with a few manageable plants before assuming a tropical-looking clump will feed the household.