Future Trees

Future Trees

The Future Trees Project was started in 2008.  After a devastating wildfire swept through the Overberg in 2006.  It had destroyed large areas of an ancient Milkwood forest on Grootbos. The aim of the project is to rehabilitate the afflicted areas as well as restoring other ever-green forested sections on the reserve.

The Future Trees Project is not just a tree planting exercise. It is a scientifically devised forest rehabilitation project. Our innovative approach was to use the aerial photographs of the region, which date back to 1937.

Using these images to compare the extent of the current state of forest to earlier sizes. Based on our findings we developed our planting plan. Restoring the forests to resemble their previous incarnations. The trees used are grown in our own nursery to ensure genetic sources are maintained. Indigenous trees that are planted includes White Milkwood, White Stinkwood, Pock Ironwood and Wild Olive are propagated in our indigenous nursery.