”
trees
MANAGEMENT
S VEGETATION VEGETATION S
GUIDELINE
prosperous tribe which comes from the place of the the from comes place tribe which prosperous
INDIGENOU
Hessequa Municipality Hessequa
“The “The
INFORMATION & INFORMATION
The Hessequa Council has set 8 Strategic Our Green Vision: Objectives ahead of themselves with specific
To be a place where everyone shares impacts to be made, one of these objectives is as equally in the wealth of the natural follow: resources and other assets through innovative and sustainable Ensuring a sustainable future through effective management and development of conservation and restoration of natural resources, limiting human and natural capital to ensure the impact of our presence in the ecology and returning to all basic needs are met without harm to the environment. a heritage of preservation.
Hessequa Municipality Burgersentrum, Riversdale Tel: 028 713 8000 0
Fax: 086 4015 118
OUR MOTIVATION! Hessequa Municipality is located within an area of world class biodiversity and of a unique conservation value. This is a result of both the inland aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems as well as the diverse coastal and marine habitats. The region is located within the Cape Floristic Kingdom, one of only six floral kingdoms in the world. The Cape Floristic Kingdom is the smallest of the six but have the richest endemic and endangered population. This area is therefore known as a “global hotspot” which places a responsibility on Hessequa Municipality for its protection and preservation.
For this reason Hessequa Municipality made sustainable development as one of their key objectives and as proof we have nature reserves in each town and supports all conservancies, conservation and greening strategies as well as private nature reserves within our jurisdiction. It should be noted that while Hessequa literally means “the prosperous tribe which comes from the place of the trees” our region is currently more known for its fynbos rather than for our trees. Thousands of years ago this area was dominated by indigenous forest but over the years and with increasing pressure from us as humans the biomes changed to what is now known as the Cape Floristic Kingdom.
As a result we as a municipality realize the importance of the last remaining few patches of indigenous forest and the need for it to be preserved. We actively collaborate with agencies such as CapeNature to conserve the last enduring forests and patches of indigenous trees. Examples are the Groot-Vadersbosch Nature Reserve (Last of the remaining forests tucked away at the foot of the Langeberg Mountians) and the Skulpiesbaai Municipal Nature Reserve in the middle of Still Bay (Aged Milkwood trees, hundreds of years old and still showing the signs where elephants passed). We are also actively planting indigenous trees which are unique to the climate of the area with the ideal of expanding and preserving our natural footprint for future generations.
1
Table of Contents 1. NATURAL FOREST IS PROTECTED ...... 3 2. NOTICE OF PROTECTED TREE SPECIES UNDER THE NATIONAL FORESTS ACT ...... 3 3. A FOCUS ON MILKWOOD ...... 4 4. LIST OF PROTECTED TREES ...... 5 5. FYNBOS AND RENOSTERVELD ...... 27 6. FIRE BREAKS ...... 27 7. CLEANING OF ERVEN IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS ...... 28 8. INVASIVE PLANT SPECIES ...... 28
2
1. NATURAL FOREST IS PROTECTED Section 3 of the National Forests Act of 1998, (Act No. 84 of 1998) stipulates that natural forests may not be destroyed. Section 7 of this Act also states that trees in a natural forest may not be cut, destroyed, pruned or damaged without a licence. In terms of policy, such destruction is only allowed in exceptional circumstances such as strategic projects like bulk services and infrastructure (e.g. major roads, power lines, dams and pipelines), but not for residential development.
NATUURLIKE WOUDE IS BESKERM
BOME IN NATUURLIKE WOUDE MAG ONDER GEEN OMSTANDIGHEDE GESNY, VERNIETIG, GESNOEI OF BESKADIG WORD SONDER `N GELDIGE PERMIT NIE.
Section 3 of the National Forests Act of 1998, (Act No. 84 of 1998)
The only other exceptions to this rule are: vested rights such as zoning certificates issued and properties registered at the Surveyor- General before the year 2000, when the National Forests Act was enacted; primary property rights, such as the right to erect a dwelling for own use on a vacant property (number of units per specified area in semi-urban areas may have been determined in local zoning schemes).
These exceptions do not apply automatically owing to complex land-use and legal issues, and do not do away with the need to apply for a licence, in which case the responsible forestry official may have to investigate these land issues first. 2. NOTICE OF PROTECTED TREE SPECIES UNDER THE NATIONAL FORESTS ACT, 1998 (ACT NO 84 OF 1998)
The effect of this declaration is that in terms of Section 15(1) of the National Forests Act, 1998, “. . . no person may cut, disturb, damage or destroy any protected tree or possess, collect, remove, transport, export, purchase, sell, ONWETTIGE AKTIWITEITE RAKENDE BESKERMDE BOME donate or in any other manner acquire or dispose of any BESKERMDE BOME MAG NIE BESIT, VERSAMEL, VERWYDER, VERVOER, protected tree or any UITGEVOER, GEKOOP, VERKOOP OF AS `N DONASIE GESKENK WORD SONDER `N forest product derived GELDIGE PERMIT NIE, DIESELFDE GELD VIR PRODUKTE AFKOMSTIG VAN `N from a protected tree, except under a licence BESKERMDE BOOM. or exemption granted ENIGE PERSOON WAT SKULDIG BEVIND WORD AAN HIERDIE OORTREDING SAL BEBOET OF TRONKSTRAF OPGELE WORD VAN `N MAKSIMUM VAN TOT DRIE JAAR. Section 15(1) of the National Forests Act, 1998 3
by the Minister to an applicant and subject to such period and conditions as may be stipulated.” Contravention of this declaration is regarded as a first category offence that may result in a person who is found guilty of being sentenced to a fine or imprisonment for a period up to three years, or to both a fine and imprisonment. 3. A FOCUS ON MILKWOOD
White milkwood (Sideroxylon inerme) – occur on the entire Indian Ocean coast of South Africa.
Red milkwood (Mimusops caffra) – mostly on the KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape coasts.
White milkwood (Sideroxylon inerme) and red milkwood (Mimusops caffra) are dominant keystone species on the coast and are protected because of their aesthetic and ecological role.
BESTUUR VAN MELKHOUT EN ANDER BESKERMDE BOME
VIR DIE SNY EN SNOEI VAN BESKERMDE BOME WORD `N PERMIT BENODIG, BEHALWE:
AS MINDER AS 25 % VAN DIE BOOM GESNOEI OF GESNY WORD, EN AS DIE TOP VAN DIE BOOM NIE UITGESNY WORD NIE, EN AS DIT NIE VIR NUWE ONTWIKKELINGS EN HERONTWIKKELING IS NIE. (VRYSTELLINGS VAN HIERDIE WET WAS GEPUBLISEER IN DIE STAATSKOERANT NOMMER 773 VAN 27 AUGUSTUS 2007 PERMIT VORMS EN OOK AANSOEK KAN BY DIE NAASTE KANTOOR VAN DIE DEPARTEMENT LANDBOU VERKRY WORD. National Forests Act, 1998 Cutting or pruning also requires a licence, except: if less than 25% of the crown is pruned, but not for the topping of such trees, and not for new development or redevelopment (exemptions published in Government Gazette no. 773 of 27 August 2007). Note that Licence application forms for activities affecting protected trees or natural forests can be obtained from the website www.daff.gov.za and must be submitted to the nearest forestry regional office of the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. The same directive is applicable on protected trees listed below.
WHAT IS A NATURAL FOREST?
MANY PROPERTIES ALONG THIS COAST ARE COVERED BY NATURAL FORESTS. NATURAL FORESTS CONSIST OF CLOSED CANOPY STANDS OF INDIGENOUS TREES, USUALLY WITH SHRUB AND HERB LAYERS BELOW, AND THE HEIGHT MAY VARY FROM ABOUT 2 METRES (SCRUB FOREST) OR EVEN LOWER IN EARLY PIONEER OR REGROWTH STAGES, TO MORE THAN 10 METRES. CERTAIN TREE SPECIES ONLY OCCUR IN FORESTS (INDICATOR TREE SPECIES) AND BOTANISTS CAN THEREFORE DISTINGUISH FOREST FROM OTHER WOODY VEGETATION. SUCH TREES INCLUDE 4 WHITE MILKWOOD (SIDEROXYLON INERME).
4. LIST OF PROTECTED TREES Afrikaanse Botanical Name English National Algemene Common Tree PICTURE Naam Names Number
1. Kameeldoring Acacia erioloba Camel thorn 168
5
2. Vaalkameeldoring Acacia Grey camel 169 haematoxylon thorn
3. Peulmahonie Afzelia quanzensis Pod mahogany 207
6
4. Groendoring Balanites Torchwood 251 subsp.maughamii
5. Poeierkwasboom Barringtonia Powder-puff 524 racemosa tree
7
6. Witgat Boscia albitrunca Shepherd's tree 122
7. Msasa Brachystegia Msasa 198.1 spiciformis
8
8. Mingerhout Breonadia salicina Matumi 684
9. Swart- Bruguiera Black mangrove 527 wortelboom gymnorrhiza
9
10. Swazi-uiehout Cassipourea Swazi 531.1 Not Available swaziensis onionwood
11. Boesmanstee Catha edulis Bushman's tea 404
10
12. Indiese Ceriops tagal Indian mangrove 525 wortelboom
13. Vals-tambotie Cleistanthus False tamboti 320 Not Available Not Available schlechteri var. schlechteri 14. Hardekool Combretum Leadwood 539 imberbe
11
15. Assegaai Curtisia dentata Assegai 570
16. Bosveld-saffraan Elaeodendron Bushveld saffron 416 transvaalensis
12
17. Bosveld- Erythrophysa Bushveld red 436.2 rooiklapperbos transvaalensis balloon
18. Ebbehout - Euclea Ebony guarri 598 ghwarrie pseudebenus
13
19. Moerasvy Ficus trichopoda Swamp fig 54
20. Silwerboom Leucadendron Silver tree 77 argenteum
21. Tonga- Lumnitzera Tonga mangrove 552 wortelboom racemosa var. racemosa
14
22. Pondo- Lydenburgia Pondo 407 boesmanstee abbottii bushman's Tea
23. Sekhukhuni- Lydenburgia Sekhukhuni 406 boesmanstee cassinoides bushman's tea
15
24. Kusrooimelkhout Mimusops caffra Coastal red 583 milkwood
25. Lebombo-wattel Newtonia Lebombo wattle 191 hildebrandtii var. hildebrandtii
16
26. Stinkhou Ocotea bullata Stinkwood 118
27. Gariep- Ozoroa Gariep resin tree harpuisboom namaquensis
17
28. Appelblaar Philenoptera Apple-leaf 238 violacea
29. Kasuur Pittosporum Cheesewood 139 viridiflorum
18
30. Breederivier- Podocarpus Breede River 15 geelhout elongatus yellowwood
31. Outniekwa- Podocarpus Outeniqua 16 geelhout falcatus yellowwood (Afrocarpus falcatus)
19
32. Henkel-se- Podocarpus Henkel's 17 geelhout henkelii yellowwood
33. Opregte-geelhout Podocarpus Real yellowwood 18 latifolius
20
34. Barberton- Protea comptonii Saddleback 88 suikerbos sugarbush
35. Serpentynsuikerb Protea curvata Serpentine os sugarbush
21
36. Rooi-stinkhout Prunus africana Red stinkwood 147
37. Kiaat Pterocarpus Wild teak 236 angolensis
22
38. Rooi-wortelboom Rhizophora Red mangrove 526 mucronata
39. Krinkhout Securidaca Violet tree 303 longepedunculata
23
40. Wit-melkhout Sideroxylon White milkwood 579 inerme subsp. inerme
41. Pondo-gifertjie Tephrosia Pondo poison pondoensis pea
24
42. Peperbasboom Warburgia Pepper-bark tree 488 salutaris
43. Clanwilliam-seder Widdringtonia Clanwilliam 19 cedarbergensis cedar
25
44. Baviaanskloof- Widdringtonia Willowmore 21 seder schwarzii cedar
26
5. FYNBOS AND RENOSTERVELD All Departments within Hessequa Municipality including appointed contractors should comply with all relevant legislation including: The National Environmental Management Act (Act 107 of 1998), National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (Act 10 of 2004) that provides for conservation and management of biodiversity and makes provision for special protection of certain species. The Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act (Act 43 of 1983 amended 2001) that requires removal of listed alien invasive plants, the Environmental Conservation Act (Act 73 of 1989), the National Veld and Forest Fire Act (101 of 1998) that may require the clearing of firebreaks to protect crops from flammable vegetation. Other Acts include the National Heritage Resources Act (Act 25 of 1999), Atmospheric Pollution Act (Act 45 of MAAK VAN BRANBANE EN 1965), the National Water Act (Act 36 of 1998), the SKOONMAAK VAN ERWE IN Fertilizers, Farm Feeds, Agricultural Remedies AREAS MET HOË VOLUMES Amendment Act (Act 4 of 1980) that deals with the FYNBOS EN RENOSTERVELD storage and use of herbicides as well as the Fencing Act (Act 31 of 1963) which governs fencing activities. VIR DIE SKOONMAAK VAN HIERDIE TIPE 6. FIRE BREAKS PLANTEGROEI IS BEHEERDE BRANDE DIE In order to comply with the National Veld and Forest IDEAAL, MAAR AANGESIEN DIT NIE Fire Act (101 of 1998) which states that “... every ALTYD MOONTLIK IS NIE IS BOSSIEKAP owner on whose land a veld fire may start or burn or DIE BESTE ALTERATIEF. from whose land it may spread must prepare and DIE VOLGENDE STANDAARD GELD VIR maintain a firebreak on his or her side of the boundary BOGENOEMDE AKSIES: between his or her land and any adjoining land” the municipality need to put firebreaks in place where 100MM – 150MM IS DIE MINIMUM applicable. HOOGTE WAAROP GEBOSSIEKAP Failure to do so can lead to illegal herbiciding or MAG WORD. ploughing by neighbouring land owners trying to act PLOEG OF ONWETIGE GEBRUIK VAN proactively in protect their land from wild fires. These ONKRUIDDODERS WORD NIE actions can lead to an increase in alien weed species, GEONDERSTEUN NIE. soil erosion and the destruction of critical endangered INDIEN AREAS GEHEEL VAN FYNBOS EN vegetation. RENOSTERVELD SKOONGEMAAK MOET Due to the above mentioned mandate the following is WORD; SAL AANSOEK BY DIE proposed: DEPARTMENT OMGEWINGSAKE EN In the case for Fynbos and Renosterveld ONTWIKKELINGSBEPLANNING GEDOEN vegetation, controlled burning would be MOET WORD. preferable to brush cutting. However, clearing of a firebreak by brush-cutting conserves more plant National Environmental Management: species than clearing by use of a plough or Biodiversity Act (Act 10 of 2004) herbicide. 100mm – 150mm should be accepted as the standard minimum height for both brush cutting and general clearing of vegetation.
27
7. CLEANING OF ERVEN IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS Clearing of indigenous vegetation within residential areas should be done to a minimum height of 300mm, whether clearing is done by brush cutter or by hand.
Hessequa Municipality encourages property owners to do Plant Rescue before 300MM commencing with new developments. Rescued plants can be replanted to produce beautiful indigenous gardens.
8. INVASIVE PLANT SPECIES
WHAT IS THE MAIN CHARACTERISTICS OF INVASIVE ALIEN PLANT SPECIES IN THE HESSEQUA MUNICIPAL REGION?
The more prolific if these species are native to Australia, brought here over a century ago mainly for their rapid growth rate and adaptability. The four main characteristics of these species are as follow:
1. The quantity of water that these plants absorb far exceeds the amount of water that indigenous species uses, resulting in dried out soil. 2. These plants have no natural enemies which can limit their number. 3. They grow fast and produce huge amounts of seed. 4. All these aliens are quick to burn which it does at a much higher temperature than indigenous vegetation which poses as a serious threat to fynbos. Importantly is that the Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act (CARA) 43 of 1983 as amended in March 2001 categorise the alien plant species according to the severity of the threat that they pose and need to be eradicated. Below are listed the different categories:
Category 1: Plants in this category are not permitted on your land and must be destroyed. Category 2: These plants are not permitted on your land and should be removed. Land owners can be exempted by obtaining special permission from the Department of Agriculture and if a demarcated area has been set aside for these vegetation type. Category 3: In this case the plants are permitted to grow 1 on your land but only if already established and no new additions are made to the existing.
28
Torch cactus (Echinopsis spachiana) (1) has the potential to become as much of a pest as the prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) (2).
Legislation: Both is a category 1 3 (prohibited) invader.
2
4 Fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum) (3) is still localized but stretches for many kilometres at a time on road verges. In places it is invading the adjacent Karoo veld.
Legislation: It is a category 1 (prohibited) invader
5
Willow Hakea, (Hakea salicifolia) (4), a commonly planted ornamental tree, hedge and windbreak is spreading in many sites from seed. Apparently, unlike its relative the silky hakea (Hakea sericea), it does not require fire to release seed from its fruits (follicles) and appears to like moist sites. In its native Australia it grows in wet sclerophyll forest and edges of rainforest—similar habitats are abundantly available along the Garden Route.
Legislation: It is a category 1 (prohibited) invader
Sweet pittosporum (Pittosporum undulatum) (5) is invasive along the garden route. It is easily overlooked because it likes forested and wooded areas and streambanks. The bright orange fruits contain sticky orange-red seeds dispersed by birds and other animals.
Legislation: It is a category 1 (prohibited) invader
29
6 Madeira vine (Anredera cordifolia) (6) is cultivated as an ornamental and for its edible tubers.
It invades woodland and riverbanks usually close to human habitation. It is widespread in South Africa, from Cape Town in the W Cape, to the southern and eastern Cape.
Legislation: It is a category 1 (prohibited) invader.
7
Greater periwinkle (Vinca major) (7) is naturalised and invasive in
many parts of the world, including Australia, New Zealand, the USA, Chile and Japan. It is abundant in places along the Garden Route.
Legislation: None. It has been proposed as a category 1b (prohibited) invader under the revised CARA.
8 Bottlebrushes (Callistemon species) (8) are evergreen shrubs or trees with showy clusters of bottlebrush- like flowers with longexserted stamens.
Legislation: None. Three species have been proposed as declared invaders under the revised CARA.
9
The inland Hessequa municipal landscape is dominated by alien acacias and pines. Black wattle (Acacia mearnsii) (9) infests the river systems and edges of forests.
Our coastal areas is heavily infested by Rooikrans (A. cyclops) (10), and more inland in the areas around Albertina Port Jackson (A. saligna) (11) can be found.
Legislation: It is a category 1 (prohibited) invader.
30
11 10
Cluster pine (Pinus pinaster) (12) and radiata pine (Pinus radiata) (13) are very invasive in mountain fynbos.
Legislation: It is a category 2 (prohibited) invader.
12 13
European bramble (Rubus fruticosus) (14) with its large pink or white flowers in elongated, prickly, inflorescences is abundant on road and forest verges.
Legislation: It is a category 2 (prohibited) invader.
14
31
Australian brush-cherry (Syzygium paniculatum) (15), Camphor tree (Cinnamomum camphorum) (16), with its reddish young leaves, and ashleaved maple (Acer negundo) (17) are emerging weeds along the Garden Route.
Legislation: Campor tree is a category 1b invader, other two unknown.
15 17
16
Wandering Jew (Tradescantia fluminensis) (18) invades forest edges and other shady sites.
Legislation: It is a category 1 (prohibited) invader.
18
Pride-of-Madeira (Echium candicans) (19) is a potentially new invader 19 which has been noticed in disturbed sites along the Garden Route.
Legislation: It is a category 1 (prohibited) invader.
32
Municipal officials and Contractors when in the process of cleaning open spaces and other properties should be vigilant for these types of vegetation which should be destroyed when and where possible.
UITHEEMSE PLANTE EN BOME
UITHEEMSE PLANTE EN BOME WORD IN VERSKEIE KATEGORIEË INGEDEEL WAT VERSKIL VAN PLANTE/BOME WAT ONDER GEEN OMSTANDIGHEDE GEPLANT OF OP MEENTGROND/PRIVATE GROND MAG VOORKOM NIE TOT ANDER WAARVOOR JY `N PERMIT BENODIG OM DIT OP JOU ERF TE KAN PLANT.
UITHEEMSE GEWASSE GROEI GEWOONLIK BAIE MEER AGGRESSIEF EN VINNEGER AS INHEEMSE GEWASSE EN IS DUS `N GROOT BEDREIGING VIR ONS INHEEMSE FYNBOS EN WOUDE, DUS MOET DIT WAAR TOEPASLIK VEWYDER WORD.
+++++++++++++++
HESSEQUA MUNICIPALITY
Department Planning and Environment
Civic Centre
Riversdale
7760
Tel: 028 713 8000
Fax: 086 4015 118
33