Themba Trees

is a family owned business which is located on an apple farm in the beautiful Elgin Valley. We are passionate about trees, and endeavour to offer a friendly and personalized service.

At Themba Trees we grow 50 indigenous species and 10 exotic species. We grow trees specifically for coastal tolerance, wind tolerance, drought tolerance, hedging, screening, shading, avenues and wet areas. We propagate healthy and strong, vigorously growing trees that are well adapted to the environmental conditions of the Western Cape.

Our trees are grown using organic and slow release fertilizers. We ensure that our trees grow at a rate which sustains a healthy root to canopy ratio, and a well developed stem and branching network. By spacing our trees correctly and pruning regularly, we supply our clients with stable and well balanced trees.

Our business operates in a sustainable manner through practices of reduction, reuse and recycling of resources. At Themba Trees we make our own compost from the resources that we get from a neighbouring sawmill and chicken farm. We also compost all of our cuttings and green materials produced by the nursery. Our use of pesticides is kept to a minimum, and is used specifically for problem areas.

Caroline de Villiers

started the business in 2007, after living in Bahrain and Mozambique for five years. Having completed her Masters in Development Studies at the University of London, she was looking for a business opportunity to combine her MSc and BSc Forestry and Conservation qualifications. Her dream was to protect the environment, as well as to create employment opportunities. Caroline started Themba Trees as a realization of this dream.

Michael Hermanus

, a former employee on Kromvlei farm, joined the business in November 2007 as a manager and business partner.

Michael and Caroline love what they do, and have excelled in their respective expertise. Caroline was awarded the Female Farmer of the Year award in the Best Small Holder Forestry Category by the Department of Agriculture in the Western Cape in 2010. Michael has risen to the challenges of managing a wholesale tree nursery, and was selected by the IPPS as their exchange student to Australia in May 2011.