Boomplantweek en die Internasionale Jaar van Woude - Dendro.co.za

WHITE PEAR Apodytes dimidiata » Foto: Naas Grové
STINKWOOD ocotea bullata » Photo: Naas Grové
group of 26 members of the Outeniqua
A branch of the Dendrological Society and
two members of the fledgling Worcester section
visited Grootvadersbos over the weekend of 10-11
September, 2011. We were ably guided by Pierre
van den Berg (ex Cape Nature) and the extremely
competent and amiable Goliath Highburg, a serving
Field Ranger at Cape Nature, known affectionately
as “Twakkies”. The forest represents the southwestern
most vestige of Afromontane forest which
had earlier occupied vast areas of the southern
Cape. Grootvadersbos had mercifully been spared
the most severe fires and more importantly, the
insatiable woodcutters’ axes. Secure from utter
devastation from the harvesters, partially on account
of its inaccessibility and the fact that it could recover
from exploitation owing to its good rainfall, seclusion
in a deep kloof where soil is fertile and fires do not
penetrate so easily, the forest has survived and
matured to reveal some excellent examples of
some of the southern Cape’s signal Afromontane
species. Control measures undertaken at first by
the Department of Forestry and later Cape Nature
have meant the forest is now in good hands and
thriving.
Of the official list of 46 common tree species
which can be found in the forest, the group had the
opportunity of viewing 34 at close range.
A key species in the forest is Olea capensis subsp.
macrocarpa (Ironwood). This species is abundantly
evident throughout the forest and the towering size
of the specimens viewed, left the group with little
more than a good feeling for the greyish bark with
its indentations, an occasional “crocodile skin-like”
appearance and sporadic black “oozes”, which seem
to occur anywhere on the trees, but more particularly
where a wound has occurred in the bark.
Notable of the species found in the forest are the
various “pear” species. These trees are notoriously
difficult to separate, but the group could get a
true feel for the subtle differences between these
species. To start with, Olinia ventosa (Hard Pear)
was in full flower with small posies of yellow
flowerets (similar to the smaller clusters of flowers
on the Cherry/Candlewoods which were also in
flower). The bark was shown to be reddish-brown
and deeply fissured lengthways. In contrast Scalopia
byeenkomste
events
Grootvadersbos excursion
Robert Smith - September, Grootvadersbos
mundii, (Red Pear) was pointed out on a number of
occasions. Many of these trees have survived to
become excellent soaring canopy specimens; not
the “small to medium sized” trees which the field
guides would have you believe. On account of their
cathedral-like growth, the stems have a definitive
smooth but mostly blistering bark structure,
where the blisters hang downwards and not in
any direction as in Podacarpus falcatus (Outeniqua
Yellowwood). More often than not, while marvelling
at the various specimens in this forest of superb tall
canopy trees, the bark and stems are all one has to
go by to determine the species! Alas, no specimens
of Apodites dimidiata (White pear) could be found.
On the south facing slopes of the forest, good
sightings of Cunonia capensis (Red Alder) could
be had. Some of these specimens were truly awe
inspiring. One in particular was situated near the
canopy bird hide and its presence alongside a
marvellous example of a coppiced Ocotea bullata
(Stinkwood) which had sent up its rescue shoots
to the canopy in defiance of the otherwise mortal
wound which it had suffered sometime in its troubled
past, left one with a true sense of amazement at these
spectacular trees. This canopy is also shared with
a number of introduced California Redwoods and
together with Podocarpus falcatus and Podocarpus
latifolious (Outeniqua and Real Yellowwood) one
has a magnificent feeling for this great forest. The
haunting song of Narina trogons (two people were
lucky enough to see one) and the fleeting twitters
of Cape White-eyes, Greater Double-collared
Sunbirds and Blue-mantled Crested Flycatchers,
seem to bear out the fact that the area is well
appreciated by the locals!
While it would be impossible to mention all species
encountered in this forest, it is with conviction that
one can say that the visit was well worth the effort
and every hope is that it will continue to survive and
grow under the ongoing care and dedication of the
officials of Cape Nature.
The group would like to record their appreciation
of the excellent cottage facilities on Honeywood
farm run by Miranda and John Moodie next door to
Grootvadersbos.
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DENDRON » No/Nr: 43 » November 2011