​​It is important that we know the difference between Cape indigenous forest and alien plantations. Forests are diverse ecosystems with a complex vegetation structure supporting our indigenous flora and fauna, while plantations are ‘monocultures’ which are made up of alien plants such as pine and gum trees that were planted in order to produce timber.

Our indigenous forests are afrotemperate forests. An afrotemperate forest is made up of a complex community of canopy, subcanopy and understorey trees as well as vines and herbaceous ground covers. Much like other native vegetation types such as fynbos, renosterveld and strandveld; forests play an important role in keeping our plants healthy by:

• preventing soil erosion;
• removing carbon dioxide from the air; and
• providing a home to a variety of animals, birds and bugs.

Unlike fynbos,​ our forests are not adapted to fire. This is why you will find our trees mostly in gorges and ravines and other areas that fire can’t easily reach.​​ ​​​

Know your trees
Typical trees found in the Cape include:

• Yellowwood (Podocarpus latifolius)
• Cape beech
• White stinkwood
• Milkwood
• Assegai
• Cape holly
• Red elder
• Hard pear
• Various ferns, herbs, bushes and vines

In the early 1900s, commercial pine plantations were planted on the slopes of Table Mountain. Many of these have recently been harvested and will not be replanted. Instead, threatened indigenous fynbos vegetation will be restored to these areas.

Invasive alien species like the Australian Acacia, Hakea and Eucalyptus trees as well as pines from the northern hemisphere compete with local trees and plants for water and sunlight and also change the way our ecosystems work.​

Some of our most popular indigenous forests include:

• Skeleton Gorge;
• Newlands Ravine;
• Echo Valley;
• Spes Bona Valley; and
• Orange Kloof.

All of these are part of the Table Mountain National Park.

​​​​​​​​Where to explore

The City manages many nature reserves and natural areas. Some of these – like Helderberg Nature Reserve and Steenbras Nature Reserve preserve important indigenous forests.

For provincial and national reserves in the Western Cape that offer a forest experience, browse the following websites:

• CapeNature: manages 24 nature reserves and wilderness areas across the Western Cape. Most offer overnight accommodation and/or camping and a variety of activities.
• South African National Parks (SANParks)​: manages five national parks within the Cape, including Table Mountain National Park.