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Pine Busters

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Pine Busters

Pine Busters a group of volunteers, dedicate our time to eradicating pine trees in the berg.

So why are pine trees, specifically Pinus Patula, devastating to the Drakensberg?

🌲 because of their growth and pine needles, hundreds of grass species in the Drakensberg will be wiped out
🌲 the animal species that feed off these grasses will therefore be wiped out, we are talking thousands of species
🌲 pines are extremely thirsty trees, therefore, draining from our water sources and the Drakensb

erg is the water factory for South Africa
🌲 they are highly flammable causing runaway fires to worsen if they pass through pines, yet they do not die themselves in a fire
🌲 they are native to Mexico and can withstand long periods of temperatures as low as -10°C, hence doing well in the berg

Let's eradicate these trees before it is too late!

26/08/2026

🌲📲 Don’t Forget to Download iNaturalist! 📲🌲

You can play a direct role in protecting the Drakensberg, and it starts with downloading the iNaturalist app.

This free, citizen-science app allows you to photograph and log invasive pine trees (as well as plants, animals, and fungi), helping us track problem areas more accurately and efficiently. Every observation gives us valuable data on where action is needed most.

How it helps:
✔️ Pinpoints exact locations of invasive pines
✔️ Helps us prioritise clearing areas
✔️ Tracks environmental changes over time
✔️ Empowers the community to be part of conservation

Simply download the app (available on iOS & Android), create a free account, and snap a photo when you spot a pine tree that shouldn’t be there. We can monitor the platform and use the data to guide our work.

Together, we can keep the Berg thriving and pine-free. 💪🌿

19/08/2026

🌲 Did You Know?

The majestic Drakensberg isn't just a beautiful mountain range, it's one of South Africa's most important water catchments, supplying water to millions of people.

When invasive Pinus patula (Mexican Weeping Pine) spreads into natural grasslands, it can have a significant impact on this precious resource. These trees use far more water than indigenous grasses, drawing moisture from the soil and reducing the amount of water that reaches streams, rivers, and dams.

The result? Less water flowing downstream for communities, agriculture, and ecosystems that depend on it.

By removing invasive pines and protecting our indigenous grasslands, we help preserve the Drakensberg's role as one of South Africa's natural water factories, ensuring clean, reliable water for generations to come.

💧 Every invasive tree removed is a step towards protecting one of our country's most valuable natural resources.

12/08/2026

What a privilege to chat to the Hilton Buddies today! A wonderful group of people who showed such interest in what we do. Thank you for having us and listening; it was a true honour!

We also ❤ Hilton 😉

05/08/2026

🌲 This weekend, the Pine Busters team is heading to Injisuthi for another pine bust... that is, if we don't get snowed out! ❄️🥶

The forecast is looking seriously chilly, but we're hoping the weather plays along so we can continue clearing invasive pines and protecting our beautiful Drakensberg.

Wish us luck, and if you're heading into the mountains this weekend, stay warm and stay safe! 💚

29/07/2026

🌲 We Need YOU! 🌲

Think Pine Busters is only for chainsaw operators? Think again! 💚
As long as you’re hiking fit, you can help us protect the Berg in so many ways:

✅ Carrying equipment
✅ Capturing data
✅ Mapping and monitoring
✅ And so much more!

No experience? No problem, we’ll show you the ropes. Every pair of hands counts in keeping our Berg pine-free! 🌿💪

📩 DM us to join the team and make a difference today!

🌲💚

22/07/2026

🌲 Did You Know?

A pine tree doesn't just take up space; it changes the ground beneath it.

As Pinus patula trees shed their needles, they form a thick blanket over the soil. This layer blocks sunlight, makes it difficult for indigenous grasses and wildflowers to grow, and changes the natural conditions that our Drakensberg grasslands depend on.

Over time, these invasive pines crowd out native vegetation, reducing biodiversity and transforming one of South Africa's most unique ecosystems.

That's why every pine removed is a step towards restoring the Berg to its natural beauty. 💚

15/07/2026

🌲 Another Successful Pine Bust! 🌲

Our recent trip to Cathedral Peak in the Fern Forest was a fantastic success, with the team felling around 150 invasive pine trees. Most of the trees were approximately 16 years old and measured between 30–50cm in diameter, a huge effort that will help protect this beautiful natural environment.

A special shout-out to Morgan, who earned bragging rights for taking down the biggest tree of the bust! 💪🌳

A big thank you to everyone who joined us and gave their time and energy to conserving our mountain ecosystems. Every tree removed is another step towards restoring our indigenous landscapes.

08/07/2026

🌲 Mission Prep Underway!

We're gearing up for our next mission into the Cathedral Peak area, where we'll be tackling the Upper Fern Valley, an area heavily invaded by Pinus patula.

Every mission is another step towards restoring the Berg's natural grasslands, protecting vital water catchments, and giving indigenous vegetation the chance to thrive again.

A huge thank you to our dedicated volunteers who give up their time and energy to make this work possible. Stay tuned as we share updates from the field! 💚⛰️

03/07/2026

🌲 What data do we collect about the pine trees we remove?

Quite a bit, actually!

For every Pinus patula tree we assess, we record its GPS location, trunk diameter, growth rings, any burn scarring, and the surrounding terrain.

Why? Because every piece of information helps us better understand the tree, how it has grown, and how it interacts with its environment. The more we know, the better we can refine our approach and improve our efforts to remove invasive pines from the Berg.

We're more than just a group of volunteers with chainsaws; we're learning from every tree to help protect these incredible mountain ecosystems for generations to come. 💚🌿

21/06/2026

🌲💚 Happy Father's Day!

Today we celebrate all the dads, grandfathers, and father figures who inspire a love for the outdoors, adventure, and conservation.

Thank you for sharing the mountains, trails, and wild places with the next generation and helping to create lasting memories in nature.

Wishing you a wonderful Father's Day ⛰️

Address

Hilton
3245

Telephone

+27823346122

Website

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