Rhus Karee Tree (Searsia lancea): The Tough, Beautiful, Low-Maintenance Tree That Does It All

An indigenous favourite for property owners who want shade, structure, and zero stress.

What is the Rhus Karee Tree?

The Rhus Karee (Searsia lancea) is one of the most underrated indigenous powerhouses you can plant in the Western Cape.

•  It’s hardy.

• It’s fast-growing.

  
  

• It thrives in wind, drought, heat, and poor soil.

• And once it’s in the ground, it’s almost maintenance-free.

From urban parks and school grounds to rural farms and lifestyle estates, the Rhus Karee is quietly doing a lot of heavy lifting, offering shade, biodiversity, erosion control, and wind buffering with almost no fuss.

Why We Recommend the Rhus Karee

If you want a resilient, reliable, indigenous tree with ecological value and practical benefits, the Rhus Karee is one of the smartest choices you can make.

Here’s why:

• Drought-tolerant once established

• Fast-growing (but not invasive in its native range)

• Supports local birds, insects, and butterflies

• Handles wind, poor soils, and exposed sites

• Provides excellent privacy, screening, and shade

• Requires minimal intervention once shaped correctly

At Overberg Arborists, we often recommend the Rhus Karee for clients who want a tree that will grow with them, not grow into a problem.

Rhus Karee Trees at a Glance

Feature	Detail
Scientific name	Searsia lancea
Common name	Rhus Karee
Indigenous?	Yes – native to Southern Africa
Height at maturity	5–10 metres
Canopy shape	Multi-stemmed, wide, slightly weeping
Evergreen?	Yes (semi-deciduous in extreme drought/frost)
Growth rate	Fast
Wildlife value	High – birds, insects, biodiversity corridors
Water needs	Low once established
Root system	Wide-spreading — plant away from pipes & paving
Ideal uses	Windbreaks, erosion control, screening, shade

Where the Rhus Karee Thrives

The Rhus Karee is especially well-suited to Western Cape inland and semi-arid conditions, including:

• Farms and smallholdings

• Dryland gardens

• Commercial properties needing “green structure”

• Boundary planting on large plots

• Wind-prone zones where other trees struggle

Soil? Doesn’t matter much. Sand, clay, gravel — as long as it drains, the Karee will thrive. 

Sunlight? Full sun only. This isn’t a shade-lover. 

Space? Give it room. This tree expands outwards — don’t plant it in tight beds or next to walls.

Why It’s More Than Just Tough

The Rhus Karee offers far more than just toughness. It’s a functional tree that solves problems:

Need	Rhus Karee Solution
Erosion or slope control	Strong root structure stabilises soil
Wind buffering	Wide, dense canopy deflects strong winds
Wildlife support	Provides food and shelter for birds, insects, bees
Privacy or screening	Grows quickly into an effective green barrier
Drought-proof landscaping	Needs minimal irrigation once established

It also tolerates pruning and shaping well — meaning you can train it into a beautiful small tree or let it sprawl into a living screen, depending on your vision.

Pruning and Maintenance Tips

Rhus Karees are low-maintenance

— but not no maintenance.

Here’s how to keep yours healthy and safe long-term:

Early Years (1–3 Years)

• Formative pruning to create strong central limbs

• Remove water sprouts and crossing branches

• Train the tree to suit its intended purpose (shade, structure, or screen)

Maturity (3+ Years)

• Canopy thinning every 2–3 years to reduce wind resistance

• Deadwood removal to reduce risk of breakage

• Avoid topping — this encourages weak regrowth and shortens lifespan

What to Watch Out For

Most Rhus Karees thrive with little interference — but when stressed (especially by overwatering or confined planting), you may see:

Problem	Cause	Severity
Aphids or scale	Often triggered by stress or overgrowth	Low
Sooty mould	Secondary to insect infestation	Cosmetic
Dense lower growth	Common if unpruned	Manage with thinning
Surface roots	Can emerge in shallow soils or confined beds	Plan spacing wisely

Site Planning: Don’t Make These Mistakes

Spacing matters. The Rhus Karee’s canopy can easily span 5+ metres, and its root system follows. Plant at least 2–3 metres away from:

• Buildings

• Walls and paving

• Septic tanks or underground pipes

Avoid these mistakes:

• Planting in tiny garden beds

• Expecting it to “stay small”

• Trying to hedge or over-prune it into submission

Let it grow as nature intended — with smart spacing and early shaping.

Fun Fact: Male vs Female Rhus Karees

Rhus Karee trees are dioecious — meaning male and female flowers occur on separate trees.

Only female trees produce small yellow-white fruits, which:

• Are non-toxic

• Attract birds and small mammals

May be slightly sticky when ripe, but rarely cause mess

Summary: Rhus Karee Tree Maintenance 101

Aspect	What You Need to Know
Water	Low – drought-hardy after year one
Soil	Tolerates almost anything (just not waterlogged)
Maintenance	Prune every 2–3 years to maintain structure
Wildlife support	High – supports a variety of species
Lifespan	Long-lived with minimal issues
Risk	Minimal – unless planted too close to structures

Final Word

The Rhus Karee isn’t flashy. It’s functional, local, smart, and reliable.

It doesn’t drop heavy branches, clog your gutters, or demand constant care. It grows with purpose — and rewards those who plant it with shade, shelter, and structure that lasts for decades.

At Overberg Arborists, we’ve helped clients plant, train, and maintain hundreds of Karees across the Western Cape. We don’t just “plant trees.” We help you build a resilient landscape.

Want Help Choosing or Managing Your Rhus Karee?

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