Beyond PSHB: Trees For Bees

Noltea africana

Contemplating bees buzzing around a tree I wondered how the PSHB infestation might affect our dwindling bee populations. What trees might one thus consider planting to attract bees?   Bee Trees For Small Spaces Besides feeding bees, Soap Bush (Noltea africana) has the following attributes:  Attract butterflies and birds  Twigs and leaves rubbed […]

PSHB: Growing Resilience?

Pine Nut Tree

I was invited by a friend to accompany her to a site where the owners want to transition into a more extensive, self-sustaining permaculture practice. This required re-envisioning their space. The first thing I noticed were pine trees. These were the happiest pines I had ever seen. Usually their leaves are dark, sombre, and so […]

Growing Spekboom

Addo elephant eating spekboom

Last week I had the great pleasure of taking cuttings from spekboom from a garden where a diversity of carbon sequestration plants grow in abundance. I prefer this way of sourcing spekbbom plants for it creates a virtuous cycle of sharing that supports the sustainability of the earth at many levels. Given that June is World […]

PSHB: Light at last?

Wild Olives in pots along Grant Avenue, Norwood

The Forestry & Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI) website page on PSHB has been updated. It provides a history of the infestation, the lifecycle of the PSHB beetle, and lists funded projects that tackle the challenge from different angles. It also provides strategies on how to respond to the infestation that echo some of those I […]

PSHB: Towards a State of Emergency

PSHB Infested Tree In Norwood

Your PSHB Infested Tree is stressed and you want to save it. Below are examples of interventions in Johannesburg that hopefully serve as an incentive for you to save as many of your infested trees as possible. Before I do so, it is helpful to know why some trees are infested while others in the […]

PSHB: What to do with dead trees

Biochar held in a hand

Your PSHB Infested Tree has died and you are heart broken. You may want to consider one of the following as a fitting farewell:  It can be burnt and the ash used to sweeten acidic soil or compost  It can be chipped and solarised, naturally or mechanically, and used as mulch  It can […]

PSHB: Towards A Charter of Responsibilties

PSHB identified tree in Rosebank

According to the South African Constitution #24 we have the right to, “have the environment protected, for the benefit of present and future generations…” In relation to Johannesburg, this includes protecting our urban trees and replacing those that are being lost on a daily basis. Some of our trees have fallen prey to a natural […]

Rain Gardens and Patterson Park

How Wetlands Work

I have made no progress in my basement water harvesting project; I am waiting for quotes before I make a final decision on the specific elements that I want on my site. One new idea is to sink a tank into the ground where I wanted the wetland pond to be. It is as though […]

TREE HIV? Borer Beetle Alert

PSHB Infested tree trunk

Chopped wood lay on the ground at a school. Upon closer inspection I saw that it was infested with Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer (PSHB). There were a number of infested trees on the property. I spoke to the principal this morning who was unaware of the infestation – the trees had fallen during a storm […]

Walking the Land Back at the Wilds

The Wilds Nature Reserve Board

I started walking at The Wilds Nature Reserve years ago. This area has very high healing energy and thus also draws people who may be mentally unstable and seek relief from their symptoms. Because it is secluded it also attracts criminals; some have been known to assault walkers. One group, The Wilds Walkers, still feels safer […]