Centenary of the Nartia Marsh grapefruit trees

The records state that the trees were already known to the citrus industry by the 1950s. Industry archives show that an extension officer of the South African Cooperative Citrus Exchange in the Western Cape reported the existence of these Marsh grapefruit trees. At the time, they were estimated to be approximately 30 years old and were described as performing well and being virtually free of stem pitting.

This observation would later prove significant. In 1972, the three trees, identified as Nartia A, Nartia B and Nartia C, were selected as budwood sources for the interim Citrus Improvement Programme, now the Citrus Improvement Scheme. They were found to be free of citrus viroids, apple stem grooving virus, citrus psorosis virus and Impietratura disease. Samples were taken again during the 1980s and ’90s. These samples were established in a glasshouse at the Agricultural Research Council (first collection) and CRI (second collection) – both in Nelspruit – headquarters for citrus tristeza virus evaluations.

Thus, the old Nartia trees became part of a much wider story of plant health, budwood selection and citrus improvement in SA.

During her inspection, Irma found that the trees are still growing, despite receiving no irrigation or fertiliser. The largest and strongest of the three remains healthy, with shiny, deep-green leaves and still bears fruit every year. This tree has a plate attached to it, though the writing is no longer legible.

The other two trees are weaker, but still alive. One of them has fallen over, yet it continues to produce healthy new shoots. Their survival, with such limited care, adds to their value as living witnesses to a century of citrus history.

The farm owner and his children are aware of the significance of the trees. Each year, the family makes marmalade from the fruit of the strongest tree, continuing a simple but meaningful connection between the farm, the trees and their fruit.

These remarkable Marsh grapefruit trees have made an important contribution to the South African citrus industry. They have endured for 100 years, remained rooted in the place where they were planted, and helped inform important citrus plant improvement work over several decades.

Irma recently had the opportunity to visit the trees again and to sample their fruit. The results were unexpected, as their taste is not typical of the usual Marsh grapefruit, which raises further questions about the origins of these remarkable trees. What remains clear, however, is that their continued survival is not only a horticultural curiosity. It is also a reminder that some of the most important stories in agriculture are still standing quietly in old orchards, waiting to be recognised.

Note that these trees are planted on private property and are not accessible to the public.Any person who wants to visit the trees can contact Irma Raspel at irma@cri.co.za.