NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDENS 
KIRSTENBOSCH 
By DOROTHEA FAIRBRIDGE 
On the south-eastern slopes of Table Mountain lies the old estate known 
as Kirstenbosch. It was an outpost of the Dutch East India Company from 
1652 to 1811, and its native forests were doubtless amongst those which 
furnished supplies of building timber to the early settlers. Dowered with 
rich soil, perennial streams and shelter from raging winds, the trees must 
have attained considerable girth. Here probably lived the forest ranger, in 
whose charge were the yellow-woods and other trees of the district. 
Students of Cape history will remember that in 1658 Jan van Riebeek 
raised his voice in protest against the wanton destruction of the yellow-wood 
trees in the forests of the Cape Peninsula. He was in a position to do 
more than protest, for he issued an edict which might have saved many fine 
trees had succeeding generations been as wise as the little Commander. He 
himself was the owner of the neighbouring estate of Boscheuval, now Bishops- 
court, which he planted with vines and fruit trees and fenced round with a 
hedge of bitter wild almonds — Brabeium stellatifolium. This hedge may 
still be traced, crossing the hill from Kirstenbosch to Wynberg. 
Not far off was the fort of Hout den Bui, established by van Riebeek as a 
safeguard against a horde of Hottentots living near Hout Bay. He describes 
Boscheuval as lying “ within the area marked off by the Company as its 
possessions, within sight of the watch-house Hout den Bui, and sufficiently 
protected.” 
The naming of Kirstenbosch is sometimes attributed to Johan Frederik 
Kirsten, or to his son. The former, who died in 1783, was Junior Merchant 
and Ledger Keeper in the Company’s service, the latter was Private Secretary 
to the Governor in 1786, but there is nothing to connect either of them with 
the place except the not particularly relevant fact that in 1793 a Johanna 
Jacoba Kirsten married a Hendrik Cloete whose nephew subsequently owned 
the property. In the early documents the name appears as Kersianbosch — ■ 
the cherry-bush. I know of no shrub growing here which would justify the 
use of the word “ cherry,” though van Riebeek has recorded that he planted 
