W&N watercolour and ink on Bockingford 300gsm
.
Eucalyptus is
the most widely planted hardwood genus in the world, covering more than
19 million hectares. South Africa relies heavily on plantations of
exotic forestry species, particularly Eucalyptus, to meet its timber
needs.
Eucalyptus is a diverse genus of flowering trees and
shrubs belonging to the myrtle family, Myrtaceae. There are no
indigenous eucalypts in South Africa, but they play an important role in
our ecology, especially to the Bee-keeping industry. Bee-keepers need a
supply of forage (food) for their colonies throughout the year. Because
Eucalyptus flower at various times of the year, they provide a constant
and reliable flow of nectar and a source of pollen, making them
essential to the bee-keeping industry.
South Africa’s honey bees
are under threat. They face diminishing habitat and forage resources,
attack by the Varroa mite pest and American Foul-brood disease,
pollution from pesticides, and stress from being worked hard to provide
a pollination service. For honey bee populations to withstand these
stresses, a healthy diet is critical for a fully-functioning immune
system.
So next time you drive past a Eucalyptus tree, give a thought to the important role this tree plays in our landscape.
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