City Bring its Greening Strategy to Life for Arbor Month

The City of Cape Town will celebrate Arbor Month this year by planting six hundred and fourteen (614) trees in various events which will be held throughout Cape Town this month. Local Ward Councillors, businesses, schools and communities will all work together to uphold this year's theme: Plant for the planet - Grow green.

"The tree-planting activities form part of the City's commitment to promoting a healthy environment and beautifying Cape Town. Arbor Month also presents an ideal opportunity for raising awareness about the importance of planting indigenous trees," said Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services, Councillor Brett Herron.

Residents will also notice an increase in the numbers of the official tree of the year, the Fever tree (Acacia xanthophloea) being planted. In addition the City will be planting this year's uncommon trees of the year, the Cape Garenia (Rothmania capensis), Bell gardenia (Rothmannia globosa), and Tonga-kerrie (Cladostemon kirkii), along with various indigenous tree species.

The City Parks Department recently completed a comprehensive Greening Strategy which will be used as a guide for the next five to ten years. This strategy seeks to provide, improve and enhance the value of green spaces and the environment in a qualitative and sustainable manner:

• For the use of passive and active recreation and social activities
• To contribute aesthetic value to the urban landscape and
• To address the effects of global warming

"Residents are encouraged to get into the spirit of Arbor Month and play their part - however big or small it may be - in greening our city. We urge residents to plant trees or shrubs in their gardens and help raise awareness about the importance of appreciating and giving back to the natural environment," said Councillor Herron.

Similar greening events will follow this month, and some of the highlights include:

Thambo Village
Councillor Herron will host an Arbor Day event at Thambo Village in Gugulethu on 09 September. The City will plant an avenue of 100 indigenous trees (Ficus natalensis, rubignosa) on the greenbelt in Silverstream Road to create a landscape feature.

"The avenue of trees in Thambo Village is part of City Parks' environmental transformation, which seeks to turn the sandy Cape Flats into a green, leafy suburb. In the years to come, residents of Thambo Village and neighbouring Manenberg will have an opportunity to sit under the shade of these trees in the hot summer months," said Councillor Herron.

Kraaifontein Civic Centre
The City will plant twenty (20) trees at the Kraaifontein Civic Centre with the help of school children from the area on 10 September. Fever trees and other indigenous trees such as Ficus natalensis, rubignosa, Rhus pendulina, and Ceratonia siliqua will be planted - all of which are all well suited to the soil in the area.

World Parks Day
City Parks will partner with the Sport, Recreation and Amenities Department to celebrate World Parks Day on 18 September. The various departments will conduct clean-up campaigns and plant trees in local parks. In addition, the City will circulate leaflets, posters and a calendar of events to local libraries to help raise awareness about the importance of trees and preserving the environment.

City exhibit at Sunday Tribune Garden and Leisure Show
The City of Cape Town will be exhibiting at the Sunday Tribune Garden and Leisure Show in Pietermaritzburg from 24 - 26 September. The exhibit showcases simple ways to green space by using recycled material and demonstrates techniques for maximising space by planting vertically, thereby conserving and enhancing the environment.

Issued by:
Communication Department
City of Cape Town