TreeBook: Tree Species Indigenous to Southern Africa, indexed by Scientific name.
Please find below key attributes of the tree that you are looking for. To see these attributes for another tree species, click either Tree List Wizard (Find tree by attributes) or Tree List by name (Find tree by its name).
Boscia albitrunca
Boscia albitrunca | Shepherds-tree | Matopie, Witgat | A decorative desert tree with a very deep taproot. Slow growing. The picture above was taken in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. We recon it is about 500 years old
Gardening ideas
Shepherds-tree is a collectors' item. Under favorable conditions it may reach a height of 1.2 metres in about 4 years. However it will take many decades to develop its characteristic white trunk. Give it modest water during summer when it buds.
Boscia albitrunca
Shepherds-tree
Matopie, Witgat
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It is hardy -survives temperatures as low as -2C
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It will grow in soil type:
well-drained, sandy
Small: 5m high; 5m crown
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Mature size?
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Plant in container?
No
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It's leaf growth is
evergreen
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It's growth rate is
very slow
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It's roots are
slightly aggressive
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It's drought tolerance?
very drought tolerant
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Sexes?
Bisexual flower on the same tree
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Birds?
Fruit eaters
None
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Screening value?
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Flowers?
inconspicuous
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Value to game?
browse leaves