BYE, BLOEKOMS EN REGULASIES

A guide published by WWF South Africa for landowners regarding the management of eucalyptus (gum) trees and their relationship with honeybees and environmental regulations.

• Honeybees are critical to South Africa's agriculture, pollinating more than 50 crops and contributing over R10.3 billion annually to the economy. Approximately 50% of the country's total honey production is derived from eucalyptus trees, which provide a reliable source of nectar and pollen.
• While there are over 85 eucalyptus species in South Africa, only six are classified as Category 1b invasive species. These six species are noted for increasing fire risk, spreading easily, and using up to 12 times more water than indigenous trees.
• Regulations mandate the removal of all eucalyptus species from riparian zones, defined as areas within 32 meters of the bank of a river, lake, dam, wetland, or estuary, or within the 1:100-year flood line. This is due to their high water usage and negative impact on downstream ecosystems.
• Landowners may retain invasive eucalyptus species if they meet specific criteria: if the land is in the Nama-Karoo, Succulent Karoo, or any desert biome; if the trees are on cultivated land at least 50 meters from natural ground; if they are within 50 meters of the main farmhouse; or if they are in a formal plantation.
• Landowners can apply for a Category 2 permit from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) to keep invasive eucalyptus trees if they serve a specific function, such as a bee foraging area, windbreak, or lane. This application requires an Environmental Impact Study (EIS) report.
• To mitigate the loss of bee food sources after removing invasive trees from sensitive areas, landowners are encouraged to plant indigenous pollinator-friendly plants, use crop rotation with legumes, and avoid spraying chemicals when crops are in bloom.

APA

Puttergill, E., Masehela, T., & Fuller, S. (2023). BYE, BLOEKOMS EN REGULASIES. WWF South Africa. https://wwfafrica.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/wwf_bees_gum_trees_regulations_afr.pdf

Chicago

Puttergill, Eve, Tlou Masehela, and Shelly Fuller. BYE, BLOEKOMS EN REGULASIES. WWF South Africa, 2023. https://wwfafrica.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/wwf_bees_gum_trees_regulations_afr.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Puttergill |first1=Eve |last2=Masehela |first2=Tlou |last3=Fuller |first3=Shelly |title=BYE, BLOEKOMS EN REGULASIES |publisher=WWF South Africa |date=2023 |url=https://wwfafrica.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/wwf_bees_gum_trees_regulations_afr.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{puttergill2023bye, author = {Puttergill, Eve and Masehela, Tlou and Fuller, Shelly}, title = {{BYE, BLOEKOMS EN REGULASIES}}, institution = {WWF South Africa}, year = {2023}, url = {https://wwfafrica.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/wwf_bees_gum_trees_regulations_afr.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }