Trees for coastal gardens in KZN.

What the coast asks of a tree

Wind bends branches and tears leaves. Salt spray burns them. Sandy soil drains fast and holds little. A tree near the sea has to cope with all three, and the first row of trees takes the worst of it.

This guide is about what grows well near the sea. It is not a list of what we sell.

Trees SANBI describes as coastal

• Coast silver oak (Brachylaena discolor). Grows in dune forest along the coast. SANBI says it tolerates coastal conditions, makes an excellent hedge or windbreak and is often used to stabilise dunes. Fast, 4 to 10 m in a garden, with a non-invasive root system. Likes sandy to loamy soil.
• Dune false currant (Allophylus natalensis). A multi-stemmed shrub or small tree to about 5 m, from coastal dune forest. SANBI says it grows very well in coastal gardens, forms a good screen or windbreak and tolerates salt air quite well.
• Natal plum, amatungulu (Carissa macrocarpa). A thorny shrub, sometimes a small tree to 4 m, from coastal bush and dunes. SANBI calls it wind resistant. Planted 1 m apart, it makes a dense hedge.
• Lagoon hibiscus (Hibiscus tiliaceus). Fast, 3 to 6 m. It fringes estuaries, lagoons and the seashore, and SANBI says it suits marginal and exposed positions. It does not like frost.
• Coastal red milkwood (Mimusops caffra). SANBI calls it a good choice for windy coastal gardens, especially on the east coast. It grows from the high tide mark and flourishes within reach of salty spray. Up to 15 m.
• White milkwood (Sideroxylon inerme). 10 to 15 m, from dune forest and coastal woodland. SANBI warns that direct sea wind can burn it, so plant it where a windbreak shelters it.
• Natal wild banana (Strelitzia nicolai). Not a true tree, but up to 12 m. SANBI says it withstands salty coastal winds and makes a good screen. Its roots are aggressive, so keep it away from buildings and paths.
• White ironwood (Vepris lanceolata). Mostly a shrub or small tree up to 5 m, from dune and coastal forest. It grows reasonably fast and does not have a very aggressive root system.

Both milkwoods are protected trees. You may buy and plant nursery-grown ones, but cutting one down later, or pruning more than a quarter of its crown, needs a licence. Read the milkwood guide before you plant.

How to plant near the sea

• Build a front row. Put the toughest plants on the sea side: coast silver oak, dune false currant or amatungulu, which SANBI describes as windbreaks or hedges.
• Shelter the rest. Plant trees that burn in direct sea wind, like white milkwood, behind that row.
• Mind the roots. Keep big-rooted plants like the Natal wild banana well back from the house, paving and pipes.
• Think about height. Check the final height against views, roofs and overhead lines before you plant.

Trees to leave out

Leave out listed invaders. Brazilian pepper tree (Schinus terebinthifolius) is Category 1b in KZN, and horsetail tree (Casuarina equisetifolia) is Category 2, which needs a permit. Do not plant them. See invasive trees in KZN.