This tree prefers deep, sandy, well-drained soils. It is found in small groups in the Arid West where wind-blown sand has filled deep sinkholes that formed in the dolomites.

Mountain Hard-pear is most common on exposed, rocky hillsides among other smaller vegetation, but may also be found in kloofs and river valleys.

It grows across the eastern half of South Africa, and is one of our most common small trees or woody shrubs.

Cheesewood grows singly among other species of trees, across a wide range of altitudes up to ± 1 800 metres above sea level. They grow in protected rocky and riverine habitats in kloofs, as well as in forests and the forest margins of Kloofs.

In the Highveld this month we have four Rhus, Searsia species that each has a distinctive feature that helps to separate them from other Rhus’. Bi-coloured Currant-rhus has branchlets that are red and hairy; Ribbed Kuni-rhus has central veins on the leaflets that are ridged on both surfaces and the lateral veins are dark, and more visible above than below; Broom Karee-rhus has lime-olive-khaki-green leaflets covered in a shiny resin; and Drakensberg Karee-rhus is alone in South Africa in this genus, in not always having three-leaflet leaves. They can be 5- or 7- leaflet, but still look quite 'Rhus-like'.

In the Highveld this month we have three Rhus, Searsia species that tend to have spines, particularly when they are young, namely Red Currant-rhus, Thorny Karee-rhus and Crowberry Currant-rhus. The fourth Rhus occurs on the western edge of the Highveld and into the dry areas of the Karoo, and boasts square-ended leaflets covered in shiny resin as their distinctive feature.

Common Hook-thorn Acacia is distributed in the eastern half of our country and grows most readily on rocky hill slopes where it can occur in large groups

Common Cabbage-tree is found singly, or in loose groups. It grows in rocky areas, inland, and also along the east coast of South Africa.

Wild-peach is very widespread throughout the eastern half of South Africa. Where you find one, others are usually close by.