Biodiversity Overview
Two problematic invader plant species in the Garden Route of South Africa are the Black Wattle (Acacia mearnsii) and the Australian Blackwood (Acacia melanoxylon). These alien species threaten biodiversity by obliterating the indigenous forest and fynbos areas, especially after fire damage because they have a faster growth rate than most indigenous species.
A large section of cut wattle forest, with some remaining wattle trees on the edge of the indigenous forest.
Alien tree clearing
Wattles and Blackwoods are extremely invasive species, which infest along watercourses in the area, and we have two separate wattle forests on our property. This is a continual process of clearing, finding ways to utilise this biomass effectively, and rehabilitating the land either back to indigenous forest, or a useful crop.
A Keurboom coming up next to wattle stumps with wattle forest in the background, still to be processed. As this is done, more Keurbooms will be planted.
forest rehabilitation
The invader species inevitably form a monoculture forest, which is not a balanced ecosystem, and in times of drought, contribute to severely increased fire hazard. The indigenous Keurboom (Virgilia oroboides) is a fast-growing pioneer species, that can compete with the invaders, and lays the organic foundations of future indigenous forests.
building material
We used Blackwood and Wattle wood to build a wood drying shed. Wattle makes for good firewood and is commonly used as such, but appropriately sized and shaped trees are processed further and used for building structures.
Larger trees
Blackwood makes a good furniture wood, as it is of medium hardness and a lovely, colourful grain. We process larger logs with an Alaskan Sawmill, providing planks of various thickness depending on the final product required.
Furniture
This is a rustic bench made entirely from Blackwood logs. Having been made and finished entirely on Solar power (including the chainsaw), gives this bench an almost-negative carbon footprint.