The  WESSA/WWF Eco-Schools in Limpopo are promoting in situ conservation of indigenous trees found in school grounds. To do this a tree tag can be purchased for R 25.

The tags will be attached to indigenous trees at schools to ensure that they are used for learning and to encourage protection. Trees are often removed by schools to make way for new planted trees, a food garden or sports facilities or because the fallen leaves are “littering the school” or clogging up gutters.

Many school feeding schemes rely on fuelwood and piles of wood waiting to be burnt are a common sight. Fruit trees are the most valued and few recognise the nitrogen fixing services provided by thorn trees which have been referred to in a derogatory manner as “bush trees.”

In a few cases trees such as which have a minimal above ground biomass as they are cut back will have a tag attached with wire and hopefully the tree will grow very quickly as it may have an old well established root system.

If this proves correct the hunt for coppicing trees will begin in earnest but the real reward will be if the young people of these schools who will become tomorrow’s road builders, engineers, town planners and politicians can recognise what is truly indigenous and incorporate biodiversity in their decisions.