01-04-2004, 09:56 AM
One man's weed is another man's treasure trove.
The Cape Lilac or Syringa Tree, widely grown in gardens in South Africa, has been declared a weed through much of the northern parts of the country. I remember reading of a very enterprising bloke who discovered that syringa wood looks very much like oak and has a similarly fine grain. So, he started a furniture business with the wood he gets for nothing from municipal land. The seed pods of this tree also produces a beautiful bead when polished.
Similarly, the white mulberry has a multitude of uses - the leaves for sericulture (silk farming) the branches for basket weaving and the fruit for fresh consumption, jams, jellies, conserves, fruit butters and liquers.
Some of the Australian wattle species introduced into SA have also been proven to have economic value in OZ. The seeds of some are now used ground as a seasoning, others produce edible fruit or fruit that is good for pickling and not a few have edible leaves that are good for seasoning dishes.
The Cape Lilac or Syringa Tree, widely grown in gardens in South Africa, has been declared a weed through much of the northern parts of the country. I remember reading of a very enterprising bloke who discovered that syringa wood looks very much like oak and has a similarly fine grain. So, he started a furniture business with the wood he gets for nothing from municipal land. The seed pods of this tree also produces a beautiful bead when polished.
Similarly, the white mulberry has a multitude of uses - the leaves for sericulture (silk farming) the branches for basket weaving and the fruit for fresh consumption, jams, jellies, conserves, fruit butters and liquers.
Some of the Australian wattle species introduced into SA have also been proven to have economic value in OZ. The seeds of some are now used ground as a seasoning, others produce edible fruit or fruit that is good for pickling and not a few have edible leaves that are good for seasoning dishes.