Bush Encroachment: Why We Thin Indigenous Trees Too

When even native species become a problem for the veld

When people think of “invasive species,” they often picture foreign plants brought in from other countries. But did you know that some of our most common indigenous trees can become a serious problem for veld health?

We call this bush encroachment — and it’s one of the biggest threats to sustainable veld and game management on the reserve.

What Is Bush Encroachment?

Bush encroachment happens when native woody species — like Sekelbos (Dichrostachys cinerea) and Kraalpendoring (Gymnosporia polyacantha) — grow too densely, taking over areas that were once open grasslands.

This is caused by:

· Overgrazing (less grass = more space for shrubs to spread)

· Lack of fire (fire normally keeps woody growth in check)

· Unbalanced animal species (not enough browsers to manage bush growth)

Why It’s a Problem

When woody species become too dominant, they:

· Reduce grazing area for herbivores (Less grass = fewer animals can be sustained)

· Shade out palatable grasses (Grasses can’t compete under dense bush canopy)

· Accelerate soil erosion (Bare patches form under thick bush, especially on slopes)

· Create less diverse habitats (Some animal species need open grasslands)

Left unmanaged, bush encroachment can lead to long-term veld degradation.

Indigenous, But Overgrown

Even native species must be managed when they grow unnaturally thick due to human influence or veld mismanagement.

At Mabalingwe, the main culprits include:

· Sekelbos (Dichrostachys cinerea)

· Kraalpendoring (Gymnosporia polyacantha)

· Gewone Pendoring (Gymnosporia buxifolia)

· Grewia flava

· Acacia karroo

How We Manage It: Selective Thinning

We don’t remove all trees — only where they exceed natural densities or threaten the veld balance. Our team uses a combination of:

· Mechanical clearing – Chainsaws and brush cutters used to open up thickets, leaving important shade trees in place

· Chemical treatment – Tree stumps treated with herbicide (Access or Actipron) to prevent regrowth

· Follow-up monitoring – Thinned areas are revisited annually to ensure long-term effectiveness

· Fire as a support tool – Where veld condition allows, fire is used to help reduce seedling regrowth

Balancing Browsers and Grazers

Thinning also improves the veld for browsing species like giraffe and kudu. By managing density rather than clearing indiscriminately, we protect the food source for leaf-eaters while opening space for grasses to flourish.

Bush encroachment is a silent threat. But with thoughtful intervention, we can restore veld balance and ensure all species — plant and animal — have the space they need to thrive.