Vachellia karroo eking out an existence

Karoo plains away from watercourses are not the places where Vachellia karroo reaches its most impressive heights. Tree status is here a tall order.

The lowlands where seasonal waters flow down stable routes are more promising for the local tree species. Underground moisture is still reached there long after the rain. This is where sweet thorn trees reach 3 m to 5 m, living well and looking good in season.

Elsewhere in this demanding terrain is another matter. Natural stunting in Karoo bonsai fashion imposes dwarfism on many, irrespective of their genes. Tough customers though, these white-thorned V. karroo bushes! Equipped with taproots, they may last for many years in the adverse conditions, using the rare deluge to grow lush branches, flowers and fruit. Whenever possible may not be often. Next year’s drought will prune them back again, but such are the vicissitudes of life, nothing out of the ordinary in the Karoo.

It can’t be helped that some witless bird with no dendrological skills had unfortunately dropped the seed so long ago in this spot of all possible places. The same fate and worse awaits most of its own seeds to be set here over the years. Again, not a problem for maximal performance whatever the conditions is the unchanged strategy.