Also known as podocarpus latifolius, the real yellowwood species has a yellow bark, and is also one of South Africa’s most valued trees because of its timber and canopying nature. The branches and foliage of the real yellowwood species can spread outwards by up to 10 metres, and the base of the trunk can be up to 3 metres in diameter. What makes this a majestic tree, however, is its ability to live up to 2000 years old. In South Africa, the oldest real yellowwood tree can be found in the Tsitsikamma forest and is aptly named The Big Tree. It is said to be roughly 1000 years old and is a few hundred metres tall.
Real yellowwoods are common in the Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and towards the eastern part of the Limpopo province. They grow in particularly mountainous areas but thrive best when in forests.
Despite it being a slow-growing tree, yellowwood timber is sought after because of its durability and exquisite finish. The gift of its timber, however, is also a curse as the cutting down of real yellowwoods for commercial and industrial use has become of national concern in the past decade.
As a result, a number of nature conservationists have called for the country’s government to put an end to all harvesting of the tree, and have also appealed for funding to plant more of its species. The real yellowwood is of particular importance in the greater ecosystem because it’s a habitat for a number of animal life. It’s a home for rare South African birds such as the Cape Parrot, the Narina Trogon, and the rarely seen Bush Blackcap.
Preserving the real yellowwood ensures that the future livelihood of other species is secured and that it continues to be a living icon of South African trees.