Update
NIEU-BETHESDA NEWS - The town is synonymous with trees.
The village is well known for its pear tree avenues, heritage quince hedges, ancient cypresses and wonderful willow trees which all flourish due to the permanent supply of furrow water which flows through the hamlet.
An organisation called 'Adopt a Tree' encourages the public to provide funds to raise new trees in the village – from purchasing them, to planting and maintaining them.
This is due to the fact that trees are sometimes destroyed due to wind, lightning, disease or unscrupulous wood cutters.
In the days before Nieu-Bethesda was inhabited, there were probably not many trees growing naturally in the Karoo Veld. Celtis Africana are the only indigenous trees which grow in areas protected from frost and freeze, and these usually grow only in the canyons.
The natural vegetation that occurred here was more than likely aloe, rhus bushes, some acacia and low shrubs.
It was therefore the vision of the forefathers of the village, who designed the ingenious system of furrows which lattice the alluvial plain, who planted the historic trees in Nieu-Bethesda.
In 1947, Gardner van Niekerk, then eight years old, planted an oak tree at the New Street home of his maternal aunt, Lettie Kritzinger. This home has recently been renovated by Lettie's granddaughter, Christa Scholtz and her husband Piet.
It was a special moment when, last week, they asked Gardner – 72 years later – to cut a commemorative ribbon around the old oak tree which stands proudly in the newly re-established garden.
The gigantic pepper tree in Immelman Street was also recently visited by the family who lived in the small cottage over the road approximately 85 years ago. They spoke of the tree which was a mere sapling growing out of the foundations of what was then the cowshed over the road.
The pepper tree is probably now about 90 years old, and many tourists photograph the magnificence of it on their walks through the village. Trees are incredible monuments and it is heartening that they are mostly treated with reverence in Nieu-Bethesda.
To contribute to the 'Adopt a Tree' foundation in Nieu-Bethesda, please contact Lorian Page on 081 271 2658 or email adoptatreenb@gmail.com.
Rabindranath Tagore said, "The one who plants trees, knowing that he will never sit in their shade, has at least started to understand the meaning of life." How wonderful it is, that Gardner van Niekerk, can sit in the shade of the tree that he planted 72 years ago.
Read a previous article: Historic tree commemorated
'We bring you the latest Nieu-Bethesda, Karoo news'
