Student 24/7 Sep 2014 | Page 14

CAMPUS NEWS Planting for the Future O Keleabetswe Narenti In support of Arbor week the Vaal Triangle Campus of the North-West University (NWU Vaal), Green Campus Committee (GCC) planted four indigenous trees on the grounds of the Vaal Campus. Arbor week is between the 1st and 7th of September and the GCC and some of the students took the time to plant trees. Madeline Evert, chair of the GCC, said that they plan to encourage the planting of trees amongst students and staff members throughout the month of September. Planting trees in one of the initiatives the Green Campus Committee is introducing to work towards promoting the green campus initiative on the Vaal Campus (NWU Vaal) The Green Campus Committee planted the following trees: 1. Olea europaea subs. africana Common names: Wild olive, Olienhout (Afr.), Mohlware (NSotho, SSotho), umNquma (Zulu, Xhosa, Swati), Mutlhwari (Venda), Motlhware (Tswana) • Frost Hardy • Vulnerable when • young • 7mx5m • Evergreen Habitat: This tree is found in a variety of habitats, often near water, e.g. on rocky hillsides, on stream banks and in woodland (where it can reach 12 m). It is widespread in Africa, Mascarene Islands, Arabia, India to China. 2. Combretum erythrophyllum Common name: Bushriver Willow • Frost Hardy • Vulnerable when young • 15mx10m • Deciduous Habitat: This is a riverine species, occurring alongside rivers or away from rivers where sufficient groundwater is available. It is found at 14 - Student 24/7 almost all altitudes and can therefore tolerate a fair amount of climatic variation and diverse soils such as heavy black loam, sandy riverine alluvium and granite sand. 3. Rhus lancea Common Names: Karee (English), Karee or Rooikaree (Afrikaans), mokalabata, Monhlohlo, Motshakhutshakhu (Northern Sotho), iNhlangutshane (Siswati), Mosinabele, Mosilabele (South Sotho), Mosabele, Mosilabele (Tswana), Mushakaladza (Venda), umHlakotshane (Xhosa). • Frost Hardy • Vulnerable when young • 7mx7m • Evergreen Habitat: The karee occurs naturally in Acacia woodland and along drainage lines, rivers and streams. It is often found growing on lime rich substrates. 4. Buddleja Auriculata (Weeping wild sage) Common names: Weeping sage, Treursalie (Afr.), Utile (Xhosa) • Frost Hardy • Evergreen • 4mx4m Habitat: This shrub occurs naturally on mountain slopes, in rocky ravines, and on forest margins For more information on these trees go to http://www.plantzafrica.com/