1 00:00:00,120 --> 00:00:03,560 Speaker 1: So then if you've ever wanted to make your street 2 00:00:03,720 --> 00:00:06,240 Speaker 1: or your neck of the woods a little greener and 3 00:00:06,320 --> 00:00:09,479 Speaker 1: more beautiful, this could be your chance. Thousands of free 4 00:00:09,520 --> 00:00:11,680 Speaker 1: trees are waiting for homes, and all it takes from 5 00:00:11,680 --> 00:00:14,200 Speaker 1: you is a little bit of commitment and care. The 6 00:00:14,240 --> 00:00:18,240 Speaker 1: City Nursery has thousands. I wonder if it is thousands 7 00:00:18,640 --> 00:00:22,040 Speaker 1: of free trees available for people to plant either in 8 00:00:22,079 --> 00:00:24,640 Speaker 1: front of their homes or parks close to where they live. 9 00:00:25,000 --> 00:00:26,880 Speaker 1: The only catch, it was not really a catch, it's 10 00:00:26,920 --> 00:00:29,080 Speaker 1: the commitment is to water and care for the tree 11 00:00:29,080 --> 00:00:31,280 Speaker 1: for at least three years to give it the best 12 00:00:31,360 --> 00:00:34,960 Speaker 1: chance to grow strong and healthy. How do we get involved? 13 00:00:35,080 --> 00:00:37,360 Speaker 1: Es Jay Well joining us to tell us more is 14 00:00:37,440 --> 00:00:40,120 Speaker 1: counselor at Francine High and make a member for Community 15 00:00:40,120 --> 00:00:43,080 Speaker 1: Services and Health to tell us more about this initiative. 16 00:00:43,240 --> 00:00:46,000 Speaker 1: Francine good to have you this morning on weekend breakfast. 17 00:00:46,080 --> 00:00:48,239 Speaker 2: Welcome, Good morning, Sia, Jane. Thank you so much for 18 00:00:48,280 --> 00:00:48,680 Speaker 2: having me. 19 00:00:48,760 --> 00:00:51,400 Speaker 1: An absolute pleasure. This is so exciting. I received this. 20 00:00:51,680 --> 00:00:52,879 Speaker 1: I know it, and I know it's not the first 21 00:00:52,920 --> 00:00:55,120 Speaker 1: time you've done it, but I received it via I 22 00:00:55,120 --> 00:00:58,040 Speaker 1: don't know that plums did parents WhatsApp group or something 23 00:00:58,120 --> 00:01:00,080 Speaker 1: this week and I thought, I know, I don't know 24 00:01:00,120 --> 00:01:01,960 Speaker 1: about this, and so perhaps a lot of other people 25 00:01:02,080 --> 00:01:03,720 Speaker 1: don't know about it. How long have you been doing 26 00:01:03,720 --> 00:01:06,039 Speaker 1: this free tree initiative at the city, So so, Jane, we. 27 00:01:06,080 --> 00:01:09,320 Speaker 2: Launched the campaign. It's actually called adoptor Tree, a Doctor 28 00:01:09,360 --> 00:01:12,080 Speaker 2: Tree campaign, and we launched it last year for the 29 00:01:12,120 --> 00:01:14,639 Speaker 2: first time, and it's got a little bit of traction 30 00:01:14,880 --> 00:01:17,640 Speaker 2: as the city we planted over three thousand trees last year, 31 00:01:17,800 --> 00:01:20,080 Speaker 2: but we really are looking forward to ramping it up 32 00:01:20,080 --> 00:01:22,800 Speaker 2: this year and getting more residents involved. So it's wonderful 33 00:01:22,840 --> 00:01:25,440 Speaker 2: to see how that particular post, which I think came 34 00:01:25,440 --> 00:01:29,520 Speaker 2: from a local ward counselor, is getting such good traction 35 00:01:29,880 --> 00:01:32,400 Speaker 2: because we really want as many people to get involved 36 00:01:32,680 --> 00:01:35,080 Speaker 2: and work with the city to take ownership of our 37 00:01:35,120 --> 00:01:38,720 Speaker 2: public spaces and make them greener and more beautiful. 38 00:01:39,240 --> 00:01:41,880 Speaker 1: So what is the main goal behind it? And I 39 00:01:41,920 --> 00:01:45,520 Speaker 1: know that there are certain sort of stipulations which we 40 00:01:45,520 --> 00:01:47,319 Speaker 1: can go into a little bit later on. 41 00:01:47,560 --> 00:01:50,400 Speaker 2: Yes, So the aim is really just to make sure 42 00:01:50,440 --> 00:01:53,400 Speaker 2: that more of our public spaces are being greened, and 43 00:01:53,520 --> 00:01:56,720 Speaker 2: trees are wonderful contributors to that. At the moment, we're 44 00:01:56,760 --> 00:01:59,200 Speaker 2: facing some real challenges. I'm sure you're aware of the 45 00:01:59,240 --> 00:02:03,800 Speaker 2: Polyphagus startle borer beetle which is threatening our trees. And 46 00:02:03,960 --> 00:02:07,000 Speaker 2: also with here, with rapid urbanization a growing city, were 47 00:02:07,000 --> 00:02:08,960 Speaker 2: also see a number of trees being lost and new 48 00:02:09,000 --> 00:02:12,239 Speaker 2: areas being expanded where trees are needed. So it's really 49 00:02:12,280 --> 00:02:15,200 Speaker 2: about getting the community involved to say, let's take some 50 00:02:15,320 --> 00:02:19,040 Speaker 2: ownership and let's work together to make our city more 51 00:02:19,040 --> 00:02:20,280 Speaker 2: greener and more beautiful. 52 00:02:20,639 --> 00:02:23,359 Speaker 1: What kinds of trees are we talking about front sinc. 53 00:02:23,480 --> 00:02:26,799 Speaker 2: So there's so many trees. As mentioned, our Newland's nursery 54 00:02:26,840 --> 00:02:30,760 Speaker 2: has thousands of trees, tens of thousands of trees, but 55 00:02:30,800 --> 00:02:33,440 Speaker 2: we're being quite intentional about which tree we plant wear 56 00:02:33,760 --> 00:02:35,600 Speaker 2: because we really want to make sure that they have 57 00:02:35,680 --> 00:02:39,760 Speaker 2: the greatest chance of succeeding and growing into big, beautiful 58 00:02:39,800 --> 00:02:44,000 Speaker 2: assets for generations to come. So when the residents or 59 00:02:44,080 --> 00:02:46,440 Speaker 2: community groups submit the application, it will go to our 60 00:02:46,560 --> 00:02:49,320 Speaker 2: arbors and he will then also work with their local 61 00:02:49,360 --> 00:02:52,680 Speaker 2: area team. They'll assess the site, the space, the environment, 62 00:02:53,280 --> 00:02:56,160 Speaker 2: looking at what the best type of tree is and 63 00:02:56,320 --> 00:02:59,720 Speaker 2: then and then we'll sort of make that recommendation and 64 00:02:59,760 --> 00:03:02,079 Speaker 2: work with the community to plant the tree and give 65 00:03:02,120 --> 00:03:03,519 Speaker 2: them some advice and hard to care for it. 66 00:03:03,960 --> 00:03:06,840 Speaker 1: And is the idea that we are applying as individual 67 00:03:06,960 --> 00:03:09,720 Speaker 1: residents or as you say, maybe as a street or 68 00:03:09,760 --> 00:03:10,560 Speaker 1: as a community. 69 00:03:10,720 --> 00:03:13,520 Speaker 2: Anyone can apply, so whether it's a community group, so 70 00:03:13,800 --> 00:03:17,120 Speaker 2: are local food or raypayers or friends of a park 71 00:03:17,400 --> 00:03:20,480 Speaker 2: as well as individual residents and they can then decide 72 00:03:20,480 --> 00:03:23,079 Speaker 2: they want to green their streets. Obviously, streets are a 73 00:03:23,080 --> 00:03:25,120 Speaker 2: little bit trickier because sometimes you also have to apply 74 00:03:25,200 --> 00:03:28,520 Speaker 2: for way leaves. In case they're underground. Services that will 75 00:03:28,639 --> 00:03:31,600 Speaker 2: talk them through that process. The city, our area teams 76 00:03:31,600 --> 00:03:34,080 Speaker 2: will assist with that and they just need to submit 77 00:03:34,280 --> 00:03:37,320 Speaker 2: a simple application form about where they want and we'll 78 00:03:37,320 --> 00:03:38,800 Speaker 2: work with them to make sure that it's the most 79 00:03:38,840 --> 00:03:42,040 Speaker 2: suitable location and that they are getting the best tree 80 00:03:42,960 --> 00:03:45,320 Speaker 2: that has the greatest count of survival in that space. 81 00:03:45,360 --> 00:03:47,040 Speaker 2: So it's a very considered process. 82 00:03:47,200 --> 00:03:49,480 Speaker 1: Listen. The fact of it is is that parts of 83 00:03:49,520 --> 00:03:52,920 Speaker 1: Cape Town are a lot greener already than other parts 84 00:03:52,960 --> 00:03:58,400 Speaker 1: of Cape Town. And in terms of the requirements that 85 00:03:58,440 --> 00:04:03,400 Speaker 1: are listed on the application, and some people's areas property 86 00:04:03,560 --> 00:04:06,640 Speaker 1: or not properties but but but but areas may be 87 00:04:07,240 --> 00:04:12,840 Speaker 1: more attract but suitable to tree planting than than others. 88 00:04:12,880 --> 00:04:15,080 Speaker 1: But there are there are parts of Cape Town where 89 00:04:15,400 --> 00:04:19,560 Speaker 1: a few trees would would certainly brighten things up a 90 00:04:19,560 --> 00:04:21,960 Speaker 1: little bit. And that's that's what we want though, right 91 00:04:22,000 --> 00:04:24,880 Speaker 1: we want we don't just want them exclusively. You know, 92 00:04:24,920 --> 00:04:28,480 Speaker 1: for example, in my area, which is you know, southern suburbs, 93 00:04:28,560 --> 00:04:30,200 Speaker 1: and lots of trees in my area, and that's that's 94 00:04:30,320 --> 00:04:32,000 Speaker 1: very nice. I'm not saying we shouldn't have more, but 95 00:04:32,040 --> 00:04:34,520 Speaker 1: I'm thinking of other parts of Cape Town which which 96 00:04:34,640 --> 00:04:39,000 Speaker 1: don't have that aren't green and may not necessarily also 97 00:04:39,080 --> 00:04:40,400 Speaker 1: have open spaces. 98 00:04:41,920 --> 00:04:44,440 Speaker 2: You're one hundred percent correct, So there are a lot 99 00:04:44,480 --> 00:04:48,360 Speaker 2: of spaces require trees. But I think the key thing 100 00:04:48,720 --> 00:04:51,120 Speaker 2: is what species. So if you obviously travel across the 101 00:04:51,160 --> 00:04:53,719 Speaker 2: city of Cape Town, you'll see that the environment can vary. 102 00:04:53,839 --> 00:04:57,880 Speaker 2: So you miss some suburbs obviously it's really beefier. You 103 00:04:57,880 --> 00:05:00,400 Speaker 2: know a lot of areas there's a lot more underground water. 104 00:05:00,520 --> 00:05:03,320 Speaker 2: But if you go to the Cape Spats or you know, 105 00:05:03,400 --> 00:05:05,520 Speaker 2: areas that are more coast built, you've got a completely 106 00:05:05,520 --> 00:05:09,240 Speaker 2: different climate. Right, so you'll need trees specifically there that 107 00:05:09,279 --> 00:05:13,440 Speaker 2: are much more wind resistance, that are hardier, that are yeah, 108 00:05:13,440 --> 00:05:16,120 Speaker 2: that will just last in those environments versus yours. But 109 00:05:16,160 --> 00:05:18,240 Speaker 2: I think even in the southern suburbs, you know, that's 110 00:05:18,279 --> 00:05:20,120 Speaker 2: where I mentioned that we've got this talent with the 111 00:05:20,160 --> 00:05:23,080 Speaker 2: poly fagus shut off boards, and we're losing a lot 112 00:05:23,120 --> 00:05:26,440 Speaker 2: of trees, especially those the box alder maples and the 113 00:05:26,520 --> 00:05:29,280 Speaker 2: English oak trees, and so I know the councilors there 114 00:05:29,320 --> 00:05:32,599 Speaker 2: are very keen to work with the community to replace 115 00:05:33,240 --> 00:05:37,000 Speaker 2: those trees that we've last So every every community can 116 00:05:37,200 --> 00:05:40,479 Speaker 2: consider a three getting involved in the adopted free program. 117 00:05:41,200 --> 00:05:44,320 Speaker 1: Like anything that you're going to adopt, you have to 118 00:05:44,360 --> 00:05:47,320 Speaker 1: make a commitment for us scene. So what is the 119 00:05:47,920 --> 00:05:50,599 Speaker 1: three year care commitment and why is that so key? 120 00:05:51,640 --> 00:05:53,520 Speaker 2: One hundred percent? So we want to make sure that 121 00:05:53,560 --> 00:05:56,360 Speaker 2: these trees have the best chance of surviving and grow 122 00:05:56,400 --> 00:05:59,480 Speaker 2: into these wonderful assets for communities. So the three year 123 00:05:59,520 --> 00:06:03,159 Speaker 2: commitment is about really just watering the tree and obviously 124 00:06:03,200 --> 00:06:06,760 Speaker 2: just making sure that generally it's being protected. Sometimes when 125 00:06:06,760 --> 00:06:10,159 Speaker 2: you've got sort of a smaller tree, it might break 126 00:06:10,160 --> 00:06:13,120 Speaker 2: in the wind or somebody might drive over it. So 127 00:06:13,200 --> 00:06:15,720 Speaker 2: we want to make sure that it's cared for and 128 00:06:15,839 --> 00:06:19,599 Speaker 2: everyone's aware of the tree and it has the greatest 129 00:06:19,680 --> 00:06:22,360 Speaker 2: chance of survival. But the commitment is really about watering, 130 00:06:22,839 --> 00:06:26,040 Speaker 2: and yeah, that's what we're asking residents to help us with. 131 00:06:26,279 --> 00:06:29,479 Speaker 1: Okay for someone who's maybe never planted or cared for 132 00:06:29,520 --> 00:06:31,719 Speaker 1: a tree before. And I'm afraid I would include myself 133 00:06:31,720 --> 00:06:33,920 Speaker 1: in that. How easy is it like if I suddenly 134 00:06:34,000 --> 00:06:37,360 Speaker 1: if I galvanize the great and the good of Plumstead 135 00:06:37,360 --> 00:06:40,320 Speaker 1: today and said, right, we're applying for a tree. What 136 00:06:40,800 --> 00:06:41,840 Speaker 1: do we all need to know? 137 00:06:42,240 --> 00:06:44,960 Speaker 2: I think the key thing is just about what tree 138 00:06:45,040 --> 00:06:47,520 Speaker 2: is the right tree for that area? But as I said, 139 00:06:47,560 --> 00:06:50,760 Speaker 2: we'll advise you so it's really not too difficult. It's 140 00:06:50,800 --> 00:06:53,320 Speaker 2: just about the watering and the frequency of the watering, 141 00:06:53,560 --> 00:06:56,839 Speaker 2: and the application form is super simple and if you 142 00:06:56,880 --> 00:06:59,120 Speaker 2: need any assistance so that you can obviously get in 143 00:06:59,120 --> 00:07:02,599 Speaker 2: contact with your waterunselors. And as I said, the area 144 00:07:02,640 --> 00:07:03,919 Speaker 2: teams will all third. 145 00:07:03,600 --> 00:07:06,119 Speaker 1: Five something before we let you go. And I'm afraid 146 00:07:06,160 --> 00:07:09,360 Speaker 1: I'm going to show my normans enormous ignorance. Now, tell 147 00:07:09,400 --> 00:07:12,040 Speaker 1: me a little bit more about the city Nursery. It's 148 00:07:12,320 --> 00:07:13,840 Speaker 1: located in Newlands, right. 149 00:07:14,680 --> 00:07:17,280 Speaker 2: That's correct. It's such a wonderful space there day and 150 00:07:17,320 --> 00:07:19,000 Speaker 2: every time I go there, I swid blown away. We've 151 00:07:19,040 --> 00:07:22,680 Speaker 2: got our teams that work there. It's led by one 152 00:07:22,680 --> 00:07:25,360 Speaker 2: of our city officials, Young Birds, and he really is 153 00:07:25,400 --> 00:07:29,480 Speaker 2: so well informed and knowledgeable about trees and flaw and 154 00:07:29,520 --> 00:07:32,240 Speaker 2: fauna within the city. And if you walk around, you'll 155 00:07:32,240 --> 00:07:35,680 Speaker 2: see so many different thousands of species and obviously lots 156 00:07:35,720 --> 00:07:38,880 Speaker 2: of different sizes. So that's also what's quite important when 157 00:07:38,920 --> 00:07:42,440 Speaker 2: we consider the tree planting program. It's not the size 158 00:07:42,440 --> 00:07:43,920 Speaker 2: of the tree as well, so you can get up 159 00:07:43,920 --> 00:07:46,080 Speaker 2: to a thousand meters I think, which is like one 160 00:07:46,120 --> 00:07:49,160 Speaker 2: of the really big ones. And yeah, so they take 161 00:07:49,200 --> 00:07:51,840 Speaker 2: care of that nursery, and I'm hoping that we, you know, 162 00:07:51,920 --> 00:07:54,400 Speaker 2: if residents want to have a walk through, I'm hoping 163 00:07:54,440 --> 00:07:56,040 Speaker 2: we might be able to have an open day as 164 00:07:56,040 --> 00:07:58,600 Speaker 2: part of this campaign as well, so that residents and 165 00:07:58,640 --> 00:08:02,000 Speaker 2: community groups can also see for themselves the wonderful nursery 166 00:08:02,080 --> 00:08:03,200 Speaker 2: that we have there in the lands. 167 00:08:04,000 --> 00:08:06,720 Speaker 1: Lovely stuff. Well, I'm certainly yeah, I'd certainly love to 168 00:08:06,720 --> 00:08:08,960 Speaker 1: come down and see that. And then where can we 169 00:08:08,960 --> 00:08:12,440 Speaker 1: get the application for Francine for to adopt a tree? 170 00:08:13,120 --> 00:08:16,400 Speaker 2: Very important question. If you google or sit on the 171 00:08:16,400 --> 00:08:19,600 Speaker 2: city's website for adopted trees for your Cape town, you'll 172 00:08:19,640 --> 00:08:23,120 Speaker 2: find all the information and the application form to download 173 00:08:23,200 --> 00:08:26,200 Speaker 2: and then to email through to our grod lovely stuff. 174 00:08:26,240 --> 00:08:29,440 Speaker 1: Fantastic. I really appreciate your time this morning. Counselor at 175 00:08:29,440 --> 00:08:33,640 Speaker 1: Francineheim who is the MACO member for community, Let me 176 00:08:33,679 --> 00:08:37,560 Speaker 1: get this right community services and Health. There we go. 177 00:08:38,040 --> 00:08:42,520 Speaker 1: If you fancy adopting a tree for your neighborhood, either 178 00:08:42,559 --> 00:08:44,000 Speaker 1: you can do it as an individual, or if you 179 00:08:44,040 --> 00:08:48,000 Speaker 1: would like to get together as an area as a community, 180 00:08:48,040 --> 00:08:50,600 Speaker 1: maybe a local community group, then you can do that. 181 00:08:50,720 --> 00:08:53,080 Speaker 1: Just go to the City of Cape Town's website. You 182 00:08:53,120 --> 00:08:55,760 Speaker 1: do need to make a commitment, though, you need to 183 00:08:55,760 --> 00:08:58,200 Speaker 1: make a commitment to looking after and watering tree. What 184 00:08:58,240 --> 00:09:01,199 Speaker 1: a great opportunity, kind of education, an opportunity for kids, 185 00:09:01,840 --> 00:09:05,480 Speaker 1: et cetera, et cetera, get them involved and teaching them 186 00:09:05,960 --> 00:09:08,320 Speaker 1: about well, first of all, some responsibility for looking after 187 00:09:08,360 --> 00:09:10,320 Speaker 1: a thing, but also about nature and the importance of 188 00:09:10,800 --> 00:09:11,560 Speaker 1: our environment. 189 00:09:11,679 --> 00:09:12,080 Speaker 2: I like that. 190 00:09:12,160 --> 00:09:13,079 Speaker 1: I like that idea a lot.