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This beautiful deciduous tree grows up to 25 m tall in a forest habitat, but in a garden it can be treated as a medium-sized tree, expected to reach a height of up to 12 m. In the wild, where it is growing in an exposed, rocky position it may be nothing more than a shrub, but well-grown specimens will have a single, straight bole branching to form a dense, semi-circular canopy.
The trunk of Celtis africana is easy to distinguish by its smooth, pale grey to white bark. It may be loosely peeling in old trees and sometimes has horizontal ridges.
In spring Celtis africana is very lovely, with its light green, tender, new leaves that contrast beautifully with the pale bark. The leaves are generally deciduous, egg-shaped with serrated edges for the upper two thirds. They are simple and alternate with three prominent veins from the base. The new leaves are bright, fresh green and hairy, and they turn darker green and become smoother as they mature. Celtis africana leaves are browsed by cattle and goats, and are food for the larvae of the African Snout Butterfly (Libythea labdaca). The species is also an insect haven.
The flowers appear in spring (August to October). They are small, greenish, star-like and inconspicuous. Separate male, female and bisexual flowers are produced on the same tree. A cluster of male flowers is borne at the base of the new leaf, and the female or bisexual flowers are in the axils of the leaves. Bees pollinate the flowers.
Masses of small, rounded, berry-like fruits are produced in abundance on 13 mm long stalks follow the flowers, from October to February. When they turn yellow-brown to black they are ripe. Many birds like Rameron Pigeons, Willow Warblers, Black-eyed Bulbuls, Mousebirds and Crested Barbets feed on the fruits and disperse the seeds. The berries are also a favourite of baboons and monkeys.
Distribution
This species is a member of the Elm family (Ulmaceae), which is chiefly northern hemispheric in its distribution. Of the approximately 150 species of Celtis worldwide, only 3 species occur in South Africa, with Celtis africana occurring from the Cape Peninsula northwards as far as Ethiopia. It occurs in a wide range of habitats from the coast up to 2 100 m, on rocky outcrops, mountain slopes, in mist-belts, coastal forests, bushel, open grasslands, on coastal dunes, along river banks and in kloofs. Not surprisingly, it varies greatly in form; from a shrub to a large tree up to 30 m high.
Uses and cultural aspects
The White Stinkwood is not related to the Black Stinkwood (Ocotea bulata) and it earned its name of Stinkwood from the unpleasant smell of the freshly sawn wood. The wood of Celtis africana is white to yellowish in colour and of medium hardness. It is tough and strong, and polishes well, but is difficult to work. It is a good general timber suitable for making planks, shelving, yokes, tent-bows and furniture.
The African people have always used it to make a variety of household articles. Magical powers have also been attached to the Celtis africana in certain local cultures. The wood is mixed with crocodile fat as a charm against lightning, and many people believe that it has the power over evil and that pegs of wood driven into the ground will keep witches away.
Growing Celtis africana
Celtis africana is fast and easy to grow. It is fairly drought resistant and can withstand frost. It does best in good, rich, deep soil with plenty of water in summer. This is an excellent tree for large gardens and parks, and has also proved to be a successful street and avenue tree. In the garden, it makes an ideal shade tree, particularly when planted on the northern or western side of the house, where the shade provided cools the house in summer, yet allows the sun through to heat the house in winter. It also works well as a specimen plant in a tub in a courtyard garden, and makes a beautiful bonsai subject.
Freshly collected seed germinates easily. Seeds collected from the ground are usually infested by insects, so it is best to harvest from the tree. The flesh from the berry is best cleaned off and the seeds should be sown in a flat seedling tray filled with river sand and well decomposed compost (5 parts river sand to 1 part compost). The seeds should be covered with a thin layer of river sand and kept moist. The trays should be placed in a warm but shaded area. Germination will take 15 to 30 days with an expected germination of 70%. Transplant the seedlings into good, rich soil and give them plenty of water and they will grow fairly fast, putting on 1 to 2 m per year.
Celtis africana as a Bonsai
You are in luck, as this is a tree that is easy to grow and is both frost and drought resistant, you do not need to take as much special care of the tree as you would with many others. However, because it is a fast growing tree, more time is going to be needed to control the growth. Frequent pruning and shaping is going to be needed.
This tree loves the sun so it is best left outside or on an open verandah where it can receive the afternoon sun. If you leave it indoors, make sure that it is at least a metre away from the window, and that it can receive full sun.
As this tree is an indigenous tree, it should be able to handle any weather condition that Mother Nature has in store. The Celtis africana likes damp soil, so water your tree regularly, especially during summer (sometimes up to 2/3 times a day depending on the temperature), but do not water after 3pm as it does not allow the water to be correctly absorbed from the soil by the tree or to evaporate, causing root rot which will eventually kill your tree. Rather give your tree a misting at this time, making sure you spray underneath the leaves. This allows transpiration to occur and refreshes the tree. During winter, watering does not need to be as regular, but the soil must still be damp. This will eventually come to you naturally with practice and as you get to know your tree.
As your tree is a haven for insects, you need to continually be on the lookout for them. Keep your tree as far away as possible from other trees/plants that attract insects or already infested. Red Spider Mites (which are not really spiders) are one of the more common invaders. The regular misting mentioned above can help control these as they drown in the small droplets of water. It is also a good idea to spray your trees with an insecticide of some sort. I recommend the Wonder Garden Gun, available at most nurseries and other large stores (e.g. Hyperama/Pick 'n Pay). You could also use a homemade mixture of 1teaspoon Methylated Spirits, 1teaspoon Sunlight Dishwashing Liquid, mixed well in 1 litre of water. Put this into a spray bottle and spray your tree with it 2-3 times a week. This does work, but I find that sometimes it does burn the leaves of your tree. Do not use it in the middle of the day, but in the early hours of the morning or in the late afternoon.
It is also a good idea to fertilise your trees regularly. I recommend the Pokon Liquid Fertiliser available at most good nurseries. Mix according to the instructions, but do not fertilise according to the label. It is written for the Northern Hemisphere and to fertilise as they say will surely kill your tree. Fertilise once a month between April and August, and every 2 weeks between September and February. Make sure that in the September month, only fertilise once the first signs of new growth are visible.
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