Alien Trees in Pearly Beach

-Pearly Beach Conservancy Bewarea-

“These are the alien trees in the Pearly Beach Conservancy - Rooikrans, Port Jackson and Manatoka,” says Elrina Versfeld, Secretary, Pearly Beach Conservancy Bewarea. “All are Australian species and have become invasive threats to Cape Fynbos.” Elrina provided some tips on how to recognize these trees in your garden.

Tips to recognize alien trees

Rooikrans (Acacia cyclops):

Rooikrans is an evergreen tree with a wind-clipped canopy. The leaves have rounded points and 3-5 veins. Flowers are bright yellow fluffy balls. Seedpods are brown, curved and twisted. The seeds are black, encircled by a red, fleshy stalk - resembling red-eye.

Deformed seedpods known as galls - are caused by the introduction of a certain midge to make the seeds infertile. This form of biocontrol is successful but slow. Cutting trees down is also successful but must be followed up with an annual inspection. The sun can now penetrate the soil and activate new Rooikrans seedlings. “Rooikrans is controlled under NEMBA, 2004 Category 1b,” Elrina said. “It may not be grown and must be removed.”

She said Rooikrans is also a risk for burning very hot fires. “If you have Rooikrans trees in your garden, please cut them down, as described above. Please assist us in removing Rooikrans from your premises.”

Port Jackson (Acacia saligna):

Port Jackson is an evergreen tree with a sparse willow-like appearance. Leaves are more or less drooping, long, straight or sickle-shaped. Flowers form clusters of bright yellow fluffy ‘balls’ near the end of branches. The seedpods are brown and straight.

Port Jackson is also controlled under NEMBA, 2004 Category 1b. It may not be grown and must be removed. If you have Port Jackson trees in your garden, please cut them down, as described for Rooikrans. In addition, apply a chemical herbicide to the cut stumps to prevent new shoots.

Manatoka (Myoporum monatum):

Manatoka is an evergreen tree. The leaves are soft and supple with pointed tips and a prominent mid vein. The flowers are small and white. It bears black round berries which birds like to eat. It is a vigorous resprouter, which reproduces by way of root runners underground or it grows from seed. Cutting these down, the stumps must be treated with a chemical herbicide. Afterwards, check for new sprouts and seedlings activated by the sun.

Manatoka are also controlled under NEMBA, 2004 Category 3. It may not be grown but may remain in your garden. You must, however, prevent its spread beyond your garden. Should you have Manatoka in your garden, please start by implementing a plan over the next few years to purposefully phase them out as described above. 

Once Manatoka has invaded Fynbos, its shade kills Fynbos and leaves the soil bare and unattractive. It is also not possible to prevent its spread beyond your garden because birds like to eat the berries and the seeds resprout from their droppings far away from your garden.

In Conclusion

“The Conservancy maintains the green zone and the 12 green spaces in the residential area of Pearly Beach to a pristine (no alien infestation) or near-pristine (<10% alien infestation) level through regular hacks,” Elrina said. “We encourage you, for the safety and beauty of Pearly Beach, to join us and aim for a pristine level in your garden,” she concluded. Private land is however the responsibility of private landowners. 

For any enquiries, please contact Elrina Versfeld at 084 350 4107, or send an email to her at elrinaversfeld@gmail.co or pbconservancy@gmail.co.

Hardus Botha