Karee tree
Afrikaans name: Karee

Karee tree
Photo © Steven Herbert
Rhus lancea / Searsia lancea
The Karee is at most a medium-sized tree that reaches a maximum height of 7 metres. It spreads widely and may measure 7 metres across. It is single-stemmed but it doesn't appear to be so as it branches out low down.
The Karee's leaves are made up of 3 leaflets. They are darker above than below. During late winter and early spring it gets small yellowish flowers. Fruit is produced in spring and early summer.
This tree occurs widely across South Africa but is absent from KwaZulu-Natal.
The Karee is popular amongst birds that enjoy the fruit. The leaves are eaten by browsers such as Kudu.

Above - Leaves of the Karee
Photo © Steven Herbert
References and further reading
What Tree is That? - Author: Hazel Stokes - Published: 1967 - Page: 35Trees of Southern Africa - 3rd edition - Author: Keith Coates Palgrave - Published: 2002 - Page: 573
The Sandton Field Guide - Author: Sandton Nature Conservation Society - Published: 1982 - Page: 199
Sasol First Field Guide to Trees of Southern Africa - Author: Elsa Pooley - Published: 1999 - Page: 47
Sappi Tree Spotting: Highveld and the Drakensburg - Author: Val Thomas and Rina Grant - Published: 1998 - Page: 232
Pocket Guide - Trees of Southern Africa - Author: Piet van Wyk - Published: 2013 - Page: 81
Indigenous Garden Plants of Southern Africa - Author: Glenice Ebedes - Published: 2017 - Page: 48
Gardening with Birds - Author: Tom Spence - Published: 1988 - Page: 78
Everyones Guide to Trees of South Africa - Author: Keith, Paul and Meg Coates Palgrave - Published: 1989 - Page: 59
Garden Birds in South Africa - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2017 - Page: 171
A Field Guide to the Trees of Southern Africa - Author: E. Palmer - Published: 1983 - Page: 205