Trees on the Potchefstroom Campus of the North-West University

It is difficult to realize how great a part of all that is cheerful and delightful in the recollections of our own life is associated with trees  ~ Wilson Flagg

Across the world, most university grounds have vast groves of trees and shrubs for ornamentation purposes and to soften the unnatural effect generated by concrete and brick. Over the years these plantings have grown into notable collections (arboretums) and many are now regarded as of educational value. The North-West University (NWU) is no exception, and has for decades made use of the trees and shrubs on campus to educate undergraduate students in various aspects of biological sciences. The need was so widely recognised, that a campus tree route was developed in 1998 by one of us (SSC). Thereafter the AP Goossens Herbarium was tasked to maintain and further develop this route to include the majority of tree species on campus.

The first step in the development of the new tree route on campus required the herbarium staff to compile a complete species list (and localities) of all the trees, shrubs and climbers growing on the campus grounds. This survey excluded the NWU Botanical Garden to avoid duplication, as a separate survey is in progress under the auspices of the garden curator. This led to many enjoyable walks on campus and subsequently a herbarium specimen was made of every woody species on campus with a height above 1.5 m. These voucher specimens are kept in a concession cabinet in the AP Goossens Herbarium and is open for use to anyone with an interest in trees.

During the survey, the participating staff estimated that there could approximately be 80 different tree species on campus. Surprisingly, we found 107 tree species, of which three are declared protected trees according to National Forests Act (no 84 of 1998), namely Podocarpus elongatus, P. falcatus and P. henkelii. The total number of woody species (trees, shrubs and climbers) on campus numbered 180 species in 65 plant families. Five plant families account for 35% of the woody plants on campus, namely the Rosaceae (Rose family), Fabaceae (Pea family), Anacardiaceae (Mango Family), Caprifoliaceae (Honeysuckle family), and Myrtaceae (Guava family). Few people are conscious of this rich specific and ultraspecific plant diversity when they admire the green lushness of our beautiful campus.

Statistics always make for interesting reading, but can spark some shocking realisations! For instance, the cultivated indigenous species on campus number only 40, while 140 alien species are grown. This is indeed unfortunate, as Potchefstroom lies in the country with the richest indigenous temperate flora in the world. One could argue that the grasslands around Potchefstroom have always been devoid of suitable woody species that could be cultivated in this harsh climate. However, considering the favourable microclimate on campus, and the treasure trove of indigenous woody species grown in the NWU Botanical Garden, one cannot comprehend the current numbers of exotics on campus. Even worse is that 38 of the woody species on campus are declared alien invasive plant species by law (Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act (no 43 of 1983)).

Once the tree route has been laid out, we hope to introduce name boards, similar to what is currently being employed in the NWU Botanical Garden. The name boards will include the common and scientific names, as well as interesting facts, of the species. The first step, however, will be to place some name boards in specific areas to test their ability to withstand student ‘curiosity’! In addition to the name boards, a booklet will be produced that will contain detailed information on every species and to guide visitors along the route. Further activities will include the merging of the campus list with the list of the NWU Botanical Garden, and at a later stage, to merge the NWU list with the list compiled for Potchefstroom by the Dendrological Society. At that point it would probably be useful to publish an educational photographic guide of the trees, shrubs and climbers of the Tlokwe Municipal area. Other non-scientific projects currently running is the ‘Campus Big Tree Project’, aimed at identifying the ‘Big Five’ trees on campus, by applying a formula used by the Dendrological Society to update the Big Tree Register of South Africa.

And remember this old, but applicable, Chinese adage: Keep a green tree in your heart and perhaps a singing bird will come.

Anyone is welcome to add trees, shrubs and climbers to the checklist (link to list), as long as the respondent can provide us with the plant’s locality on the Potch Campus. For more information or assistance, contact the herbarium curator at x2507 or the herbarium assistant at x2505.