Money may not grow on trees, but choosing the correct tree to trim for Braai Wood certainly makes it feel like it does.

When it’s time for trimming your trees, you can let it lie. Or, you can be savvy and curate your own bespoke braai buddies.

When The Bough Breaks

South Africa is currently experiencing the wettest January on record.
We are seeing regular and often devastating flooding in large parts of the country due to massive rainstorms.

It feels like the storms this year are much more ferocious than in previous seasons! Massive storms and the energy they release can wreak havoc on even the neatest suburban garden. Act now, before the next storm hits!

Overhanging branches with lush foliage can become extremely heavy due to rainwater captured by their leaves. Add a storm-strength gust of wind, and that branch can unceremoniously make its way onto your perimeter fence, car, or even worse, your house. Trim your trees before it is too late.

Let’s be honest – nobody wants a surprise witstinkhout in the lounge. Trimming your trees early and maintaining their shape and structural balance is two-in-one. It doesn’t just add to the aesthetic of your garden but also aids the proper growth and development of the tree.

He Who Cuts His Own Braai Wood is Warm Twice

An additional bonus is the fact that if you trim and cut the wood down to size now, you can let it dry out in the sun to use for braai of fireplace wood in the winter.

There are of course a few types of wood, like oleander and Ceylon rose (selonsroos) that are poisonous and should never be burnt. These woods produce noxious, dangerous gasses and smoke.

The Rolls-Royce Of Braai Wood

If you are lucky enough to have sekelbos or kameeldoring trees in your backyard, you already know you have the best braai buddies growing right there. Obviously, we don’t suggest you cut down an entire tree. Even just using some sekelbos or kameeldoring as kindling can add the distinctive delicious aroma ofa wood-braai to your meat. Here’s a bit of a cheat; using braai briquettes and adding a few dried twigs of this wood can really amp up your braai game.

Let’s Get Fruity

Citrus wood, if dried out properly, is perfectly fine for braai wood. This includes most other fruit tree woods. Apple, cherry and plum wood are often used for smoking and will add a delicate flavour to your food. Experiment with what you have in your garden and find out which flavours work for you.

Black wattle and blue gumwood are some of the most common braai woods in South Africa. This wood won’t necessarily add much extra flavour to your food like the woods mentioned above, but you can feel good about the fact that you are helping to destroy some of the most invasive tree species in South Africa and watching them go up in smoke!

Be a Braai Starter with Pinecones

Pinecones are wonderful, ecologically friendly fire starters and smell absolutely delicious. They burn quickly, so they won’t infuse your food with their scent. However, the smell of a fire started with dried pinecones is like nothing else. Treat yourself! Remember that you can even use pinecones indoors in your fireplace.

Take the time to evaluate your garden and spot any dangerous branches, and trim them as soon as possible. You might end up thanking yourself twice, once when the next storm comes and once when you eat that plum wood infused pork neck steak you just braaied!