The rare witte wijnappel tree has returned to Cape Town, with Tru-Cape planting the rare cultivar at Jan van Riebeeck High School as part of the school’s centenary celebrations, reports Cape {town} Etc.
Centenary rare witte wijnappel planting revives a 1662 apple link
The 364th year since apples were first recorded at the Cape. According to Fuitnet, The planting is only the fourth known witte wijnappel tree growing in South Africa.
Tru-Cape said the tree carries a direct link to Jan van Riebeeck, who recorded in his diary on 17 April 1662 that he had picked the first two Dutch apples at the Cape from a five-foot witte wijnappel tree. The company said its team spent years tracing the cultivar through historical archives before locating surviving trees in the Netherlands and bringing plant material back under strict regulations.
Jeanne Fourie said South Africa now has about 45 million apple trees and produces 1.3 million tonnes of apples a year. She called the planting ‘deeply symbolic’ and added that ‘time, faith and patience’ can turn something small into something significant.
Tru-Cape managing director Roelf Pienaar said:
‘The South African apple industry stands as a remarkable example of resilience, innovation, and global competitiveness.
From a single tree to a world-leading export industry, it is a story we can all be proud of. We also extend our heartfelt congratulations to Jan van Riebeeck High School on its centenary [, ] may this tree serve as a lasting symbol of growth, heritage, and future success.’
Before this planting, the only known local witte wijnappel trees were in Grabouw, Babylonstoren and the Cape Gardens.
The ceremony also included a rosa centifolia rose, believed to be among the first roses cultivated in South Africa.
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