At Trees South Africa, we kicked off the year with a powerful motto: Lifelong Learning and Sharing Knowledge. With this in mind, I set out on a mission to pass on as much horticultural knowledge as possible to the next generation of horticulturists working in our nursery.
Our primary focus has been helping our young team become familiar with the diverse tree species we grow—and, just as importantly, how to care for them. Each week, we host engaging sessions that explore six different tree species, uncovering interesting facts about their growth habits, ecological value, and care requirements.
The best part? As our young horticulturists grow in confidence, they’re beginning to share their newfound knowledge with clients and fellow staff—truly paying it forward.
Another exciting project currently underway is the development of a user-friendly training manual for pest identification and control. We’re examining both conventional chemical options and alternative, eco-friendly pest control methods. Our goal is to create a practical Integrated Pest Management (IPM) system that suits the unique needs of a tree nursery setting. It’s a hands-on, collaborative process—and we’re having a lot of fun learning together along the way.
As a nursery specialising in large, container-grown trees, keeping our trees healthy is essential. This means maintaining a fertile and well-balanced growing medium. To achieve this, we’ve begun long-term trials testing a variety of soil conditioners to determine which yield the best results. This research provides an excellent opportunity for our team to get their hands dirty—quite literally—while learning about the science of soil and plant nutrition.
Through these ongoing efforts, we hope to inspire more nurseries and green industry businesses to invest in skills development, knowledge sharing, and innovation. After all, when we grow together, we grow stronger.
