A WINDOW ONTO NATURE'S WORLD

SOLUTIONS TO SHADE, HEAT & CARBON REDUCTION - TIME TO CHANGE COURSE!With Festive celebration we have welcomed the New Year for 2023 with dynamic opportunities ahead, after the prolonged gloom of COVID -19 with its dire legacies. The season of Capricorn has turned on heat wave conditions in many regions, at a time when we are suffering daily from ESKOM 'S relentless Load-Shedding, often without air-cooling and refrigeration. Due to theon-going variations of "Climate Change" our Southern hemisphere is recording soaring temperatures, rising Sea levels, increasing incidents of Flood Damage, intermittent drought with sporadic fires and increase in pests, fungi and new diseases evident in agriculture. 2023 heralds the TIME TO CHANGE COURSE and face challenges ahead to ACHIEVE SHADE, HEAT REDUCTION also for CARBON LEVELS.The Golden Key rests with the Future of Forests and the conservation of our often precious nuclei of remaining Mature Woodlands. A local example is the amazing stand of mature Coastal Forest trees within the Townsend Park "Butterfly Forest" which provide SHADE, and offer HEAT AND CARBON REDUCTION to the surrounding residential area and visitors. The hazards facing our Forests and Treed Landscape include lightening strikes, wild fires, and worst of all the human destruction by loggers, chainsaws and the expansion of mankind's often arrogant invasion. Since 1880 we've cut down more forest globally than there is forest in the United States. At the same time recognize the forest presents trees of all types and sizes but mainly the forest giants harbor the most carbon and ensure bio-diversity.While we have grasped the importance of Tree Protection for those threatened or rare species we have yet to adopt the Principle of TOTAL FOREST and TREED HABITAT PROTECTION without further delay. This is not merely to achieve compliance with the COP27 international standards, but at the same time ACHIEVE a broad spectrum RESTORATION PROGAM for the benefit of all our communities, which is VITAL for the future..A Tree Restoration Program, already in progress in the United Kingdom was actively supported by Her Majesty the Late Queen Elizabeth II. In Australia new Tree Planting initiatives are already underway to reduce Heat units, provide shade and increase the up-take of carbon effluent.Dr. Debra Roberts in Durban, introduced beneficial programs within areas of Natal some years ago. The time is here for us to broaden this vision, and its horizon, take up our spades and start planting saplings on a "Site Specific" basis. When healthy, a tree allows an open access to the leaf surface through the stomata to make food (carbohydrates) and stay cool, it naturally absorbs our excessive proliferation of carbon dioxide. It releases water through the pores. The working Flow pulls water from the roots to the canopy to complete the cycle.A thorough and extensive TREE PLANTING PROGRAM on a holistic basis is needed, to entertain and fulfill all levels of Landscape and include Avenue Trees, Evergreen species for Parks and Gardens, Schools and Institutions, Hospitals and Commercial Projects, Hotels, Eco Estates, Complexes and Townships, and last but not least the Private Home and Garden. Bring back the Indigenous ambience with Seasonal Flowering colour for butterflies, bees and insects, the abundance of fruits and seeds for birds and rural communities to gather.Where we have existing shade from our Indigenous Trees, Research has shown we achieve an 8% to 10% COOLING EFFECT, and at the same time a 10% increase in Real Estate Value to the Landowner(s). Where we embark on Tree Planting Programs the reduction in carbon levels alone will increase oxygen and provide IMPROVED QUALITY OF LIFE.Researchers in China have found in fossil form that First Forests existed about 365 million years ago when trees first started to put down ROOTS. The study of trees has grown into the Field of Dendrology with on-going revision and research. Tree species within South Africa fall under nominated categories namely, Indigenous Trees which are endemic, "Exotic" species which have been introduced to South Africa, Commercial Forestry species which are grown for a specific industry and lastly Alien and Invader species which must be removed and eradicated The diversity of our Forest Trees necessarily falls into several recognized communities, as follows:Montane Forest, Mistbelt Forest, Scarp Forest, Coastal Forest, Sand Forest, Ironwood Dry Forest, Swamp Forest, Lowveld Riverine Forest, Mangroves, Savanna and Thicket, Wooded Grassland and lastly Scrub or Scrubland.Our indigenous Trees grow naturally from seeds which may be wind borne, or fruits and seeds which are eaten by birds, foraged by buck and mammals. From the seed grows the main stem or multiple shoots. The trunk presents a bark cover from rough to smooth, sometimes peeling and flaking, or with knobs and thorns in a range of muted colours which may change with ageand texture. The branching form denotes the shape to the canopy with leaves which vary in texture, shade, size and appearance. A glossy surface will reflect the harsh rays of the sun. Then the flowers, fruits and seeds attract an array of insects, bees, butterflies, birds, mammals and bats at night.Where nature is allowed to flourish without the interference of man there is beneficial synergy between the surrounding smaller trees, shrubs, herbal species, bulbs, ferns and forest grasses. When healthy, a tree allows an open access to the leaf surface through the stomata to make food (carbohydrates) and stay cool, it naturally absorbs our excessive proliferation of carbon dioxide.It releases water through the pores. The working Flow pulls water from the roots to the canopy. The surface area and depth of the roots may expand or contract in response to the water availability in the Soil. When this natural process is inhibited through excessive heat or drought the Water Flow is interrupted and the tree may weaken or die. Pests, fungi and increase in diseases are manifesting with "Climate Change", in turn introducing stress on an individual tree or even an entire forest. The Shot-hole Borer Beetle recently invasive to South Africa is causing widespread damage and death to our trees, with no known treatment to halt the destruction.Perhaps the most damaging impacts are through lightening and Forest Fires. A lightening strike may hit and burn a single tree, or set alight dried debris which ignites an extensive fire. With strong winds the burning debris is often carried many kilometers ahead of the area of origin with widespread increase in damage to the Forest and Wildlife. Once again man is often the perpetrator for example leaving hot embers after a braai, casual discard of a still burning cigarette, and honey reaping from the Gum Tree or other likely hollow hosting a hive.Fines and Penalties should be implemented for ARSON where there is disregard for the SAFETY OF THE FOREST and the linked Landscape were buildings or crops may be destroyed. Additionally all residents, regardless of region, should be aware of Veld Burning Regulations. Fire-breaks are essential within agricultural land and regions of extensive commercial forestry. Woodlot permits are necessary where commercial species remain in or near residential nodes.It is interesting to note that the Aboriginal people in northern Australia have through the ages managed their fire control with back-burning, and prudent removal of excessive grasslands. Grasslands present a "high risk" fire hazard due to the cellulose content of the stem growth. In conclusion it is apparent that where the community has the ability and responsibility to implement a "Controlled Burn" system during the cooler months from April to July, the risk of Wild Fires diminishes.REFERENCES : The National Geographic Magazine ? Special Issue ?May 2022 Pooley's TREES of Eastern South Africa ? A complete Guide by Richard Boon, M.Sc.FROM : Jill Theunissen, Cel. 076.657.7262 Dynamic Landscape Solutions (Pty.) Ltd.