South Africa celebrates Arbor Week annually during the first week of September, and for the first time, visitors to Vergelegen wine estate in Somerset West will have the opportunity to purchase and plant indigenous trees at this magnificent estate.
The trees will be planted in the estate’s 54-hectare arboretum, which will contain at least 7 500 trees when completed in 2031.
Trees for sale will comprise: Real yellowwood (Podocarpus latifolius), water berry (Sysigium cordatum), water pear (Syzgium quineense), milkwood (Sideroxylon inerme) and false olive (Buddleja saligna). The cost is R250/tree and the offer is available from Friday 1 September to Thursday 7 September.
“We will provide the trees, spades and pre-dug holes, and members of our garden team will be at the ready to lend a hand,” said senior horticulturist Richard Arm. “We expect many people to mark the occasion with their families.
“Visitors can also purchase the trees and plant them in their own gardens or other locations. We’ll have a selection of trees in our car park for anyone who would prefer this option.”
Arm said that the 323-year-old estate will also continue its tradition of offering visitors free seeds from its ancient Outeniqua yellowwood during Arbor Week. This venerable specimen of Afrocarpus falcatus is estimated to be 150-400 years old. The team gathers about 500 packets of seeds every year and distributes these at the entrance gate.
Arm said this task is made easier by resident fruit bats, which nibble at the seeds and help remove the skin that prohibits germination. The bats also tend to drop the seeds in certain areas of the garden, making collection easier.
To mark this first week of spring, the estate will also launch its new, pink Cap Classique from Friday 1 September in the wine tasting room and restaurants. Guests can book a meal at the bistro-style Stables restaurant, enjoy hearty French dishes at Café Fleur, and book for guided tours of the nature reserve, cellar, gardens and homestead.
Opening hours: Monday-Sunday 08h30-17h00 (last entry 16h00). Entrance R10/adults and R5/pensioners and scholars. Pensioners free on Mondays.