Page 14 - Landscape-Issue 156

FEATURE

KIRSTENBOSCH RENEWS

ACCREDITATION FROM ARBNET

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden in Cape Town has renewed its Level 1V
accreditation by the Arbnet Arboretum Accreditation Programme and the Morton

Arboretum. This is the only global initiative to officially recognise arboreta at various
levels of development, capacity and professionalism. The Morton Register of Arboreta
is a data base of the world’s arboreta and gardens dedicated to woody plants.

he Kirstenbosch woody species
collections can be grouped according to
Ttheir threat status, species of economic
value, ecological keystone species, species
of ornamental value and cultural/ spiritual/
medicinal value. Species of conservation
concern include the threatened Prunus
africana, Leucadendron argenteum, Ocotea
bullata, Widdringtonia wallichii, W. schwartzii,
Warburgia salutaris as well as historic trees
such as the Brabejum stellatifolium, Camphora
officinarum, Ficus macrophylla in the avenue,
and the ancient gymnosperms species of
Podocarpus and Afrocarpus, including the
Gingko biloba planted in 1913.
The cultivation and curation of these
special tree collections contribute to SANBI’s
overall mandate ‘to explore, reveal, celebrate
and champion biodiversity for the benefit of
all South Africans.’ To this end, conservation
projects that involve restoration and
horticultural research play an integral part
in the protection of trees, and collaborating
with partners on these projects is key as
it allows for the exchange of resources,
knowledge and expertise. Brabejum stellatifolium, Prunus africana, Leucadendron argenteum and Widdringtonia schwarzii are all
Kirstenbosch is currently leading a woody threatened species of conservation concern
tree conservation project, attempting to
establish a viable and reliable propagation
protocol of one for the most challenging
trees in South Africa, the Brackenridgea
zanguebarica. This tree is critically
endangered and highly sought after for its
medicinal, cultural and spiritual use in Venda,
Limpopo.
The team
Senior horticulturist and curator of the
arboretum section, Mpendulo Gabayi, is
responsible for managing and implementing
strategies to develop the arboretum, trees
and shrubs. This is being done by researching,
identifying, targeting, developing and
documenting South African trees, taking the
lead in promoting conservation and ensuring
the botanical integrity of the collection.
He is also responsible for managing and
coaching the arboretum staff, engaging
in conservation-based projects with both
internal and external stakeholders.
Propagation specialist Thobela Goniwe
assists the horticulturists, managing
the woody tree and shrub collection,

12 Landscape SA • Issue 156 2025 Check us out www.salandscape.co.za