Winter is only a week away and as such it is time to start planning your transplanting of deciduous trees!

Native to South Africa, Celtis africana is a fairly fast-growing shade tree attractive deciduous tree common in both high and low rainfall areas. It usually reaches a mature height of 12 m and a crown spread of up to 10 m when growing conditions are favorable.

Leaves of Celtis africana are alternate, simple and light green when young but dark green when mature. The leaves have three main veins visible from the leaf base. In autumn the leaves turn yellowish before dropping onto the ground to make way for the winter skeletal outline that has a stark beauty of its own. Blooms appear at the same time with the new leaves from August to October.  These yellowish green blooms are followed by small roundish fruits which are favoured by birds.

White stinkwood’s deciduous growth habit makes it suitable for planting in a shrubbery where it provides shade during summer and allows full sun during the winter months. It makes an ideal container plant and responds well to pruning. This tree is also suitable for bonsai as the leaves dwarf easily. Due to its frost and drought tolerance, Celtis africana is preferred for street planting and car parks.