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Trees of Kloof
 Sweet Thorn Acacia |
 Wild Pomegranate |
 Umdoni / Waterberry |
Until the mid 1900’s the vegetation of Kloof consisted of Kwazulu Natal Sandstone Sourveld grassland with riverine forests along the streams leading into the Kloof gorge and scarp forests within the gorge.
The extensive residential developments that took place from the mid-1900’s transformed the landscape into well manicured gardens with many trees. Unfortunately many of the residents preferred planting exotic plants and trees and as a result Kloof has a wide range of non indigenous trees many of which are highly invasive such as the Camphor (Cinnamomum camphora) and the Syringa trees (Melia azedarach).
Fortunately, Krantzkloof Nature Reserve was proclaimed a protected area in 1950 and has provided a safe haven for the indigenous species. Kloof Conservancy’s persistent efforts since its inception in the early 1990’s to promote the planting of indigenous species has hopefully turned the tide against exotics and invasive species and Kloof now boasts 274 recorded species of indigenous trees.
Amongst the species you can find in Kloof is the very rare Natal Sandstone Quince (Dahlgrenodendron natalense) of which it is believed that there are only about 200 specimens left in the entire country. The Red beech (prothorus longifolia) is a common tree along the forest edges in Kloof and was one of two rare trees of the year for 2012.
Tree List
You can download the full list of the indigenous trees of Kloof here: Kloof Tree List
Dendrological Society
You can get more information on the trees of South Africa at:
 Dendrological Society of South Africa |