Help plot George's special trees

GEORGE NEWS - Residents of George are invited to participate in an exciting initiative, the Special Tree Project, to help preserve the city's precious trees.

The aim of the project is to record, plot and map all trees that are of significant age and size, as well as those that may have some cultural or historical significance, within the George municipal area.

"All these remarkable trees, that can be identified as special or champion trees, may be found in gardens, private property, public spaces, or in protected areas. We would like to record them all," says Monica Vaccaro, a member of the George Tree Committee that is part of the initiative.

"Identifying the trees will ensure they are not lost and that they are given the value and recognition they deserve as the first step to preserving them."

Preserving special trees, whether indigenous or non-indigenous, is of critical environmental significance.
They provide unique habitats like cavities and deadwood for various species and as keystone species they are essential for ecosystem stability.

Mature trees enhance soil quality through nutrient cycling and support mycorrhizal networks that aid water and nutrient absorption, benefitting both themselves and other plants.

Their deep roots and large canopies help regulate water cycles, prevent erosion, and moderate local temperatures, mitigating urban heat islands and creating stable microclimates.

Older trees hold valuable genetic traits and produce high-quality seeds, aiding forest regeneration and adaptability.

Many often have cultural, historical, and aesthetic significance, enhancing landscapes and providing a sense of place. Older trees are crucial in forest succession and act as windbreaks, protecting younger plants and maintaining ecological balance. In addition, mature trees store more carbon due to their larger size and extensive root systems, making them crucial for offsetting greenhouse gases and fighting climate change over long periods.

Once recorded, this information can be used by the municipality's planning department and can be integrated into the Geographic Information System (GIS) as a layer to better inform development.

If you know of any special tree in the George municipal area that fits the bill for the Special Tree Project, all you need to do is record the information in the iNaturalist app under "Nearby" projects on the app menu, under the title: 'Street trees and public areas of the George Municipality urban edge'.

The photos uploaded will be categorised to identify champion and heritage trees so they can be added to a national database and can become protected.

For more info on the project: monica@landmarkfoundation.org.za.

For info on iNaturalist: grd.cnc@gmail.com.

One of the special trees in George is this giant Southern White Milkwood in Pacaltsdorp that is estimated to be older than 500 years. Role players who are part of the Special Tree Project initiative, from left: Monica Vaccaro (Landmark Foundation), Willie-John van Niekerk (George Heritage Trust chairperson), Shaun Swanepoel (i-Naturalist Garden Route), Nosidima Vumindaba (manager of Parks and Recreation), Ingrid Vis (Wessa Eden), Anne Kellner (Dendrological Society) and Sisanda Velembo (Parks and Recreation).