Staff at Vergelegen wine estate in Somerset West enjoyed a spring day with a difference this year, as every employee had the opportunity to plant their very own tree on Thursday 1 September.
Vergelegen is renowned for its magnificent gardens, historic trees and environmental initiatives, including South Africa’s largest privately funded alien vegetation clearing programme.
Staff planted over 200 trees in a section of a vast 54 hectare arboretum, which is being developed over a period of 10 years near the Stables family restaurant. The arboretum will be home to about 7500 trees when complete.
“The staff planting project was brilliantly orchestrated by our resident horticulturist Richard Arm and the garden team,” said Vergelegen MD Wayne Coetzer. “Our people are our business and their contribution is what makes Vergelegen so incredibly special. It was fantastic to see everyone’s massive smiles on the day.
“I am delighted that every staff member was able to plant a tree. It is important that everyone has a small piece of Vergelegen in their hearts and can one day sit with friends and family in the shade of the tree they planted.”
The tree species planted on spring day were Sideroxylon inerme (milkwood), Podocarpus latifolius (large-leafed yellowwood), Syzygium cordatum (waterberry), Olea europaea Africana (wild olive) and Dombeya rotundifolia (wild pear).
The 322-year-old estate also continued its Arbor Week tradition of offering visitors free packets of seeds from its ancient Outeniqua yellowwood tree. This enormous specimen of Podocarpaceae, the country’s national tree, is estimated to be 150-400 years old. Some 500 packets of seeds are sourced from it every year.
Vergelegen is open to the public daily from 08h30 to 16h00 (last entry 16h00 and visitors are encouraged to explore its magnificent gardens. They can also access the planted sections of the arboretum via a 3,5 km walkway. Phone 021 847 2111 or email info@vergelegen.co.za. Address Lourensford Road, Somerset West. Find out more about Vergelegen on https://vergelegen.co.za/ and social media.
