South Africa’s
Indigenous Trees
Tree of the year
FSA TRee names
Protected trees
Big trees
Trees of the Year 2026
The extended list of trees of the year now has a Common Tree, a Tree for Promotion, and a Tree for Appreciation. The Common Tree is a species or genus occurring widely, and/or easy to grow. The Tree for Promotion is a species or genus that may be less widely adapted but is not uncommon. The Tree for Appreciation would be a tree species or genus that is generally more restricted in its distribution range or suitable habitat (Source: Approved List of Trees or the Year 2021-2035 – Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries).
Common Tree
A species or genus occurring widely and/or easily grown
wild olive / olienhout, Olea europaea subsp. africana
Tree for Promotion
A species or genus that may be less widely adapted but is not uncommon
red ivory / rooi ivoor, Phyllogeiton zeyheri
Tree for Appreciation
A tree species or genus with a more restricted distribution range or suitable habitat
pod-mahogany / peulmahonie, Afzelia quanzensis
September – South African Arbour Month
The Flora of Southern Africa (FSA) Tree List
The FSA Tree List with botanical names, recommended English names and recommended Afrikaans names include the trees and other woody plants occurring in the geographical region of the Flora of Southern Africa [FSA], namely South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho and the Kingdom of Eswatini.
The list in maintained and updated by the Tree Names Committee of the DSSA in close cooperation with the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). The list is annually updated and published in the Dendron.
Champion Trees
CHAMPION TREES OF SOUTH AFRICA (Individual Trees and Groups of Trees Declared as Protected Under Section 12 of the National Forests Act of 1998 by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries) is a project initiated by the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) in 1998.