The cultural historical significance of Pretoria’s jacaranda trees
Pretoria is well-known for its jacaranda trees, which has earned the city the nickname “Jacaranda City”. Jacarandas, however, are alien trees, which were brought to South Africa during the 19th century. The trees are frequently in danger when development projects are undertaken, usually resulting in...
Saved in:
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | Afrikaans |
| Published: |
AOSIS
2020-12-01
|
| Series: | Contree |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://newcontree.org.za/index.php/nc/article/view/34 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1850158957260177408 |
|---|---|
| author | Anton C. van Vollenhoven |
| author_facet | Anton C. van Vollenhoven |
| author_sort | Anton C. van Vollenhoven |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Pretoria is well-known for its jacaranda trees, which has earned the city the nickname “Jacaranda City”. Jacarandas, however, are alien trees, which were brought to South Africa during the 19th century. The trees are frequently in danger when development projects are undertaken, usually resulting in a public outcry, as these trees have a special meaning for the people of this city. The aim of this article is to investigate this issue to determine whether jacarandas have cultural heritage significance. In order to do this the history of these trees, with specific reference to Pretoria, was studied. Background research related to heritage management was also done in order to be able to measure the possible cultural significance of these trees. The National Heritage Resources Act (no 25 of 1999), as well as international heritage protocols, refer to natural features and specifically those of cultural significance. Thus, natural heritage issues are considered as well, in drawing a conclusion. Historical research shows that jacarandas were imported to South Africa round about 1830 and that the first ones were planted in Pretoria in 1888. They were first planted as street trees in the town during 1906, and only after 1911 this was done on a larger scale. Over the years there have been many interventions, to either protect or remove these trees. Jacaranda trees are believed to have cultural, historical, aesthetic and social values for the inhabitants of Pretoria. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-cdf1f4d51e3b49eb97f7954b4e4bfce6 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 0379-9867 |
| language | Afrikaans |
| publishDate | 2020-12-01 |
| publisher | AOSIS |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Contree |
| spelling | doaj-art-cdf1f4d51e3b49eb97f7954b4e4bfce62025-08-20T02:23:44ZafrAOSISContree0379-98672020-12-0185010.4102/nc.v85i0.3434The cultural historical significance of Pretoria’s jacaranda treesAnton C. van Vollenhoven0North-West UniversityPretoria is well-known for its jacaranda trees, which has earned the city the nickname “Jacaranda City”. Jacarandas, however, are alien trees, which were brought to South Africa during the 19th century. The trees are frequently in danger when development projects are undertaken, usually resulting in a public outcry, as these trees have a special meaning for the people of this city. The aim of this article is to investigate this issue to determine whether jacarandas have cultural heritage significance. In order to do this the history of these trees, with specific reference to Pretoria, was studied. Background research related to heritage management was also done in order to be able to measure the possible cultural significance of these trees. The National Heritage Resources Act (no 25 of 1999), as well as international heritage protocols, refer to natural features and specifically those of cultural significance. Thus, natural heritage issues are considered as well, in drawing a conclusion. Historical research shows that jacarandas were imported to South Africa round about 1830 and that the first ones were planted in Pretoria in 1888. They were first planted as street trees in the town during 1906, and only after 1911 this was done on a larger scale. Over the years there have been many interventions, to either protect or remove these trees. Jacaranda trees are believed to have cultural, historical, aesthetic and social values for the inhabitants of Pretoria.https://newcontree.org.za/index.php/nc/article/view/34jacarandaspretoriaculturaljames d clarkfrank walter jamesonjacaranda jim |
| spellingShingle | Anton C. van Vollenhoven The cultural historical significance of Pretoria’s jacaranda trees Contree jacarandas pretoria cultural james d clark frank walter jameson jacaranda jim |
| title | The cultural historical significance of Pretoria’s jacaranda trees |
| title_full | The cultural historical significance of Pretoria’s jacaranda trees |
| title_fullStr | The cultural historical significance of Pretoria’s jacaranda trees |
| title_full_unstemmed | The cultural historical significance of Pretoria’s jacaranda trees |
| title_short | The cultural historical significance of Pretoria’s jacaranda trees |
| title_sort | cultural historical significance of pretoria s jacaranda trees |
| topic | jacarandas pretoria cultural james d clark frank walter jameson jacaranda jim |
| url | https://newcontree.org.za/index.php/nc/article/view/34 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT antoncvanvollenhoven theculturalhistoricalsignificanceofpretoriasjacarandatrees AT antoncvanvollenhoven culturalhistoricalsignificanceofpretoriasjacarandatrees |