Widdringtonia cedarbergensis (Clanwilliam cedar)

Clanwilliam-seder [Afrikaans]

Life > eukaryotes > Archaeoplastida > Chloroplastida > Charophyta > Streptophytina > Plantae (land plants) > Tracheophyta (vascular plants) > Euphyllophyta > Lignophyta (woody plants) > Spermatophyta (seed plants) > Gymnospermae > Coniferophyta > Cupressaceae > Widdringtonia

A tree of about 5-7 m in height but can grow as high as 20 m.

Distribution and habitat

Distribution is confined almost exclusively to the Cedarberg Mountains in the Western Cape where it occurs on rocky outcrops and mountain tops.

Uses

• The wood is regarded as among the best, if not the best, of all South African indigenous tree species, thanks to its beautiful light yellow to whitish colour and its durability (including being borer proof). It was previously harvested extensively for furniture, ship-building and fence poles but due to over-harvesting it is now regarded as being a threatened speces and natural populations are protected. In the small town of Clanwilliam, which lies adjacent to the Cedarberg, the pews, doors and carved altar of the English chapel are made of Clanwilliam cedar as are the furnishings in the courthouse (Palmer and Pitman 1972).

• The gum from cones and branches was previously used for treating medical conditions such as gout and rheumatism, and has also been used for plasters and varnish (Palmer and Pitman 1972).

Conservation

Excessive harvesting of this species in the past, as well as frequent, man-induced, fires, has led to a drastic reduction in the density of trees within its native distribution of the Cedarberg. Extensive research has been conducted on this species and there are efforts to cultivate trees.

References

• Palgrave, K.C. and Palgrave, M.C. 2002. Trees of Southern Africa. 3rd Edition. Struik Publishers, Cape Town.
• Palmer, E. and Pitman, N. 1972. Trees of Southern Africa covering all known indigenous species in the Republic of South Africa, South-West Africa, Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland. Volume 1. A.A. Balkema, Cape Town.
• van Wyk, B. and van Wyk, P. 1997. Field Guide to Trees of Southern Africa. Struik Publishers, Cape Town.

Text by Hamish Robertson