Bees, gum trees and regulations

The document explains that while six eucalyptus species are classified as invasive in South Africa and must be removed from sensitive areas, gum trees are critical to the beekeeping industry, providing an estimated 50% of the national honey crop. It details the Alien and Invasive Species regulations under the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act 10 of 2004, specifying that all gum species must be removed from riparian areas due to high water usage, regardless of invasiveness. Landowners are guided on how to apply for Category 2 permits to retain listed gums for specific functions like bee forage, and are provided with best practices for safe tree removal and the establishment of indigenous pollinator-friendly habitats.

• Gum trees are essential to the South African beekeeping industry, providing a reliable flow of nectar and pollen, and it is estimated that approximately 50% of the country's total honey crop is derived from these trees.
• Honey bees are vital to South African agriculture, pollinating over 50 crops with an estimated economic value exceeding R10.3 billion annually.
• Of the more than 85 eucalyptus species in South Africa, six are classified as Category 1b Listed Invasive Species that must be removed from sensitive areas due to their impact on biodiversity, water resources, and fire risk.
• Under the Alien and Invasive Species regulations, all gum species—regardless of whether they are listed as invasive—must be removed from riparian areas because of their high water consumption and negative impact on downstream ecosystems.
• Landowners may legally retain listed invasive gums if they meet specific criteria, such as the trees being located in the Nama Karoo, Succulent Karoo, or desert biomes, within 50 metres of a farm's main house, or in existing formal plantations.
• Landowners can apply for a Category 2 permit from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DEFF) to keep listed invasive gums if they serve a specific purpose, such as a 'bee-forage area', wind-row, or plantation.
• To mitigate the loss of bee forage caused by the removal of invasive gums, landowners are encouraged to plant indigenous pollinator-friendly species, use complementary planting or crop rotation, and manage chemicals responsibly.

APA

Puttergill, E., Masehela, T., & Fuller, S. (2023). Bees, gum trees and regulations. WWF South Africa. https://wwfafrica.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/wwf_bees_gum_trees_regulations_eng.pdf

Chicago

Puttergill, Eve, Tlou Masehela, and Shelly Fuller. Bees, gum trees and regulations. WWF South Africa, 2023. https://wwfafrica.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/wwf_bees_gum_trees_regulations_eng.pdf.

Wikipedia

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

BibTeX

@techreport{puttergill2023bees, author = {Puttergill, Eve and Masehela, Tlou and Fuller, Shelly}, title = {{Bees, gum trees and regulations}}, institution = {WWF South Africa}, year = {2023}, url = {https://wwfafrica.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/wwf_bees_gum_trees_regulations_eng.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }