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FEATURE

Vergelegen staff represented all divisions, from hospitality to horticulture, when they gathered on spring day to plant their trees.
HERITAGE TREE PLANTING

AT VERGELEGEN

Staff at Vergelegen Wine Estate in Somerset West had the opportunity to plant their

own trees on 1 September to celebrate spring and Heritage Month. Vergelegen is
renowned for its magnificent gardens, historic trees and environmental initiatives,
including South Africa’s largest privately funded alien vegetation clearing programme.

taff planted over 200 trees in a section Vergelegen so special,” said Vergelegen MD The 322 year old estate also continued its
of the vast 54 hectare arboretum, which Wayne Coetzer. Arbor Week tradition of offering visitors free
Sis being developed over a period of ten “I am delighted that every staff member packets of seeds from its ancient Outeniqua
years near The Stables family restaurant. The was able to plant a tree. It is important that yellowwood tree. This enormous specimen of
arboretum will be home to about 7500 trees everyone has a small piece of Vergelegen in Podocarpaceae, the country’s national tree, is
when complete. their hearts and can one day sit with friends estimated to be 150-400 years old. Some 500
The staff planting project was orchestrated and family in the shade of the tree they packets of seeds are sourced from it every year.
by resident horticulturist Richard Arm and the planted.” Vergelegen is open to the public daily from
garden team. “Our people are our business The tree species planted on spring day were 08h30 to 16h00 and visitors are encouraged to
and their contribution is what makes Sideroxylon inerme (milkwood), Podocarpus explore its magnificent gardens. They can also
latifolius (large-leafed yellowwood), Syzygium access the planted sections of the arboretum
cordatum (waterberry), Olea europaea via a 3,5 km walkway.
Africana (wild olive) and Dombeya rotundifolia Phone 021 847 2111 or email info@
(wild pear). vergelegen.co.za.

Vergelegen MD Wayne Coetzer. Vergelegen resident horticulturist Richard Arm Ricardo Soetsenburg, supervisor of the vineyard team.
and Marshall Bok from the gardens department.
Vergelegen employees make their mark for posterity.

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