Forest Cabbage Tree #1

Cussonia sphaerocephala

Special Details

Forest Cabbage trees, those nodding balls of leaves atop slender trunks, take at least 15 years to flower. This one is a beauty, but it is barely visible beneath a smothering pile of invasive Mauritius Thorn creeper. Soon, the creeper will become too heavy a burden. Already, lack of light weakens this wonderful specimen. A few of its leaves wave from the very top of the tangle, as if for help. Saving this tree remains a key challenge, and it will require considerable follow-up to make sure no tentacles of thorn resprout and threaten it once more.

We can already imagine the before and after images. Can you help this tree?

UPDATE: On 15 January 2025, we found this tree had snapped. A remnant of trunk remains. It will resprout, if we can keep the creepers off it, but we are so devastated that we didn’t get to clear it in time (there are just too many in need). We are keeping it on the adoption donations page for now, as intervention is still required.

Location

It stands on a steep slope above a wetland that we’ve named the Cussonia Stream Block in its honour. Already, our team has been beating down the thorns; the stream can again be seen in places, running clear as glass.

FAQs

Either in the Ferncliffe Nature Reserve, in a corridor of indigenous trees in the adjoining area, or in an area designated for rehabilitation in conjunction with a landowner.

Physical certificates feature hand-drawn and painted artwork by Connor Cullinan, and are printed on quality A4 paper. Digital certificates look the same as the paper versions, but are issued via email. If you’d like to print them yourself, we recommend choosing a matt paper of 250 gsm. Both are designed to be beautiful thank you gifts from us.

Annually, for three years. Tree life can be very quiet, but we’ll keep you updated as to the clearing and restoration around your adoptee and other news — like a bee hive in a crevice or nests in its branches! You’ll need to send us an email address of course to do this.

Connor Cullinan is a fine artist with many solo and group shows to his name. He is producing a series of original prints to help Ferncliffe raise funds for its restoration work. The images are based on fauna and flora that can be found in the forest and on its fringes. The images are open editions*, and are signed and dated. The first prints in the ongoing series are of a Porcupine, Vervet Monkeys and a Forest Weaver, and they were produced at Black River Studio in Cape Town, South Africa.

*An open edition print means an unlimited number of prints of the same artwork is sold.

If your order is urgent, please contact us first to see if we’ll be able to deliver on time. We’re a very small team and this system is not automated.

Digital certificates will be sent electronically via email, within three business days, Monday to Friday (excluding RSA public holidays).

Postage of print orders is by courier. We post once a week, however, so please expect the order to take longer than a standard delivery — or contact us to make a plan.

Prints and certificates will be packaged flat, between stiff cardboard.

Unfortunately not. A forest full of name tags would be too intrusive to local people and the environment.

Yes. We are registered as a Public Benefit Organisation, number 93 007 2645, and can issue Section 18A tax certificates on request.

Donation

R4 750

Adoption certificate