Spring in the Overberg: How to Prune Smarter, Not Harder
- Shelby Pietersen
- Aug 17, 2023
- 6 min read
Updated: Sep 17
Spring in the Overberg is more than wildflowers, canola fields, and longer days. For trees, it’s the start of a new cycle of growth, flowering, and preparation for the dry summer months.
But here’s the thing most homeowners get wrong: not all trees respond to spring the same way.
Some species explode with foliage, demanding careful pruning to keep them safe. Others grow slowly, requiring only a light touch.
This guide unpacks how local Overberg species grow in spring, what they need in terms of pruning, and why timing and technique matter more than you might think.
White Stinkwood (Celtis africana)
Spring Growth: The White Stinkwood is a favourite in Overberg gardens for one reason: it grows fast.
As the first warm winds blow, this tree bursts into a cloak of tender green leaves and tiny flowers, quickly casting deep shade.
It’s a generous tree; cooling gardens, drawing birds, and adding a sense of fullness almost overnight.
Why It Matters: Fast growth isn’t always a blessing. Dense canopies can block airflow, leaving trees more vulnerable to fungal diseases and insect infestations. In storms, brittle branches can snap if not managed, causing damage below.
Pruning Tips:
Prioritise crown thinning. Selectively remove inner branches to allow sunlight and air to pass through.
Cut out dead, diseased, or rubbing branches before they become weak points.
Shape lightly but regularly, neglect for a few years, and you’ll be dealing with a wild tangle.
A well-managed Stinkwood gives you quick shade without becoming a liability.
Wild Olive (Olea europaea subsp. africana)
Spring Growth: The Wild Olive is the unsung hero of the Overberg. Hardy, drought-tolerant, and deeply rooted in our landscapes, it doesn’t put on a flashy spring show. Instead, it quietly produces new leaves and strengthens itself for the hot months ahead.
Why It Matters: These trees are built for survival. They’ll thrive in salty coastal air, rocky soils, and drought; which makes them a smart choice for sustainable gardening. Their dense canopy provides shade, habitat for birds, and even small fruit.
Pruning Tips:
Remove suckers from the base to focus energy on the main framework.
Cut back dead or weak branches.
Avoid heavy cuts; Wild Olives respond poorly to drastic pruning. Instead, aim for gentle shaping to maintain form.
Extra Value: Planting or preserving a Wild Olive is like investing in the future. They live for hundreds of years, making them legacy trees for farms, homesteads, and family gardens.
Cape Beech (Rapanea melanophloeos)
Spring Growth: Where the Stinkwood is showy, the Cape Beech is composed.
Its glossy evergreen leaves don’t change much season to season, but in spring it quietly pushes out new growth, reinforcing its steady, year-round presence.
Why It Matters: Cape Beech is perfect for sheltered spots. It tolerates shade better than many species, providing evergreen structure and greenery even in tucked-away corners.
This makes it a brilliant companion tree in mixed plantings.
Pruning Tips:
Focus on storm-proofing, remove weak crotches or damaged wood.
Keep pruning light and strategic to avoid stunting growth.
Don’t try to reshape, the Beech is best left to grow into its natural form.
Extra Value: With time, Cape Beech matures into a graceful garden anchor. It’s less prone to pests and diseases, making it a low-maintenance choice for homeowners who want evergreen cover without constant intervention.
Keurboom (Virgilia oroboides)
Spring Growth: The Keurboom is the showstopper of spring. Covered in cascades of lavender-pink blossoms, it turns roadsides and gardens into living fireworks displays. New shoots add to the burst of colour, making it one of the most spectacular indigenous trees in the Cape.
Why It Matters: Beyond its beauty, Keurbooms are nitrogen-fixers, improving soil health around them. They attract pollinators and bring biodiversity back into gardens. But they’re also fast-growing, meaning they can get dense quickly.
Pruning Tips:
Let them flower freely in spring, don’t prune too early or you’ll lose the show.
Once blooms fade, remove deadwood and thin lightly for airflow.
Avoid heavy structural pruning, instead, maintain a natural, airy shape.
Extra Value: Plant a Keurboom not just for yourself but for pollinators and future soil health. It’s a feel-good, do-good tree for any Overberg garden.
Witpeer (Apodytes dimidiata)
Spring Growth: The Witpeer is the quiet achiever. In spring, it produces steady flushes of deep green leaves, adding density and elegance without screaming for attention.
Why It Matters: This tree thrives in both gardens and wild areas. It’s adaptable, resilient, and largely pest-free. Homeowners love it because it requires little maintenance but still contributes beauty and structure.
Pruning Tips:
Keep pruning minimal.
Remove crossing branches early to encourage good structure.
Use light cuts only to enhance its natural shape.
Extra Value: The Witpeer is the definition of a “set-and-forget” tree. Once established, it quietly enriches the garden for decades with very little intervention.
Cape Ash (Ekebergia capensis)
Spring Growth: In spring, the Cape Ash wakes up in style, producing clusters of white flowers that buzz with pollinators. Its canopy thickens with fresh leaves, giving shade and shelter to wildlife.
Why It Matters: Cape Ash is versatile, it works in urban gardens, farms, and natural spaces. Its flowers draw bees, while its fruit feeds birds. In the Overberg, where biodiversity needs every boost it can get, Cape Ash is a champion.
Pruning Tips:
Focus on thinning crowded sections, these trees can bulk up fast.
Always clear diseased or damaged wood promptly.
Don’t over-prune; you’ll strip away its natural grace and weaken its defences.
Extra Value: Think of Cape Ash as a partner tree. It supports ecosystems, encourages pollinators, and provides shade in record time.
Yellowwood (Podocarpus spp.)
Spring Growth: The Yellowwood is the dignitary of the forest. In spring, its soft new needles emerge slowly, a reminder that this tree plays the long game. It doesn’t rush, and it doesn’t need to.
Why It Matters: Yellowwoods are iconic South African trees; strong, steady, and tied to centuries of history. In Overberg gardens, they stand as guardians, adding height, presence, and permanence.
Pruning Tips:
Never try to “reshape” a Yellowwood. Its natural conical form is part of its character.
Stick to deadwood removal and clearing overcrowded spots.
Patience is key, these trees reward long-term care, not quick fixes.
Extra Value: Planting a Yellowwood is planting legacy. It’s a gift to future generations, a living monument that ties gardens to South Africa’s natural heritage.
Blue Gum (Eucalyptus globulus)
Spring Growth: Blue Gums grow like rockets in spring, sending out long leafy shoots and thick canopies.
They dominate quickly, but their speed comes at a cost. These thirsty trees guzzle water, increase fire risk, and crowd out indigenous species.
Why It Matters: Many homeowners mistake them for “good shade trees,” but the truth is sobering. Blue Gums damage ecosystems, destabilise soil with aggressive root systems, and build dangerous fire loads.
In the Overberg, they’re considered invasive and often need active management.
Pruning Tips:
Prune only for immediate hazard reduction (e.g., clearing deadwood or thinning overhanging limbs).
Long-term: consider removal. For both ecological and safety reasons, this is usually the most responsible choice.
Extra Value: Removing a Blue Gum isn’t just about your property, it’s about protecting water security, biodiversity, and fire safety for the entire region.
Quick Reference Table: Spring Growth & Pruning in the Overberg 🌿
Tree Species | Spring Growth in the Overberg | Best Pruning Approach |
White Stinkwood (Celtis africana) | Fast sprinter; bursts with leaves and flowers, dense canopy forms quickly. | Thin the crown for airflow; remove dead/diseased branches; regular light shaping to avoid tangles. |
Wild Olive (Olea europaea subsp. africana) | Subtle flush of tough new leaves; resilient to drought and salty air. | Keep cuts light; remove suckers at base; clear deadwood; avoid heavy shaping. |
Cape Beech (Rapanea melanophloeos) | Slow, steady evergreen; glossy leaves hold year-round. | Minimal pruning; remove weak or storm-damaged wood; preserve natural form. |
Keurboom (Virgilia oroboides) | Explodes in lavender-pink flowers; bursts of spring shoots. | Don’t prune before flowering; remove deadwood; shape lightly after bloom. |
Witpeer (Apodytes dimidiata) | Steady, modest flush; elegant evergreen density. | Minimal shaping; remove crossing/crowded branches; low-maintenance. |
Cape Ash (Ekebergia capensis) | Fresh leaf flush and white flowers buzzing with pollinators. | Thin crowded canopy; clear diseased/damaged wood; avoid harsh cuts. |
Yellowwood (Podocarpus spp.) | Slow, dignified growth; soft new needles in spring. | Only remove dead or crowded branches; preserve conical silhouette. |
Blue Gum (Eucalyptus globulus) | Explosive, invasive growth; thirsty and fire-prone. | Hazard pruning if needed, but removal is often best for safety and ecology. |
Final Word
Spring is when trees either thrive or get set back. In the Overberg, knowing the difference between species is critical. Indigenous trees like Wild Olive, Yellowwood, and Cape Ash thrive with a light touch. Fast-growers like Stinkwood and Keurboom need careful management to avoid becoming hazards. And invasives like Blue Gums? They need to be handled responsibly for the sake of the entire community.
If you’re unsure how best to manage your trees this spring, Overberg Arborists offers professional, sustainability-focused advice and services.
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