Brutal pruning
LITTLE FALLS – A resident is saddened by the heavy pruning of a beloved jacaranda tree in his street.
A resident of Van Dam Street, Ian James is very unhappy after a beautiful jacaranda tree on the corner of Van Dam Street and Silvershower Avenue was mistreated.
James said that City Parks arrived on the morning of 17 August to cut the branches and trunks of the tree. He added that when he asked why they were cutting the tree, they said that the tree was rotten.
He, however, explained that the tree is not rotten. “I was a landscaper for 30 years,” James said. He demonstrated that the tree is clearly not rotten when he scraped a branch, showing that there is still growth. “If it was rotten, then it would be dead.”
He added that he knows that City Parks needs to do their job, but it is the manner in which they did it that upset him. “The bark of the tree protects it from fungus. With it being exposed like this it will make the tree rotten the first time when it rains.”
James added that he would like the entity to paint the trunk with fungicide to protect the rest of the tree from rotting. He explained that jacaranda trees are not indigenous, but they are protected as they are part of South African heritage. “We can’t plant new jacaranda trees in the country, so we must protect the ones we have.”
Acting general manager for the stakeholder relations and PR department of City Parks and Zoo, Molefe Seale said that they are aware of the tree being trimmed. “It was due to the fact that the roots were destroying a boundary wall. An additional seven trees were pruned,” said Seale.
Seale explained that one of City Park’s core values as the custodians of greening in the city is to continue to create, conserve and monitor the tree canopy in Joburg. “The removal of trees is the absolute last resort, however, there are instances where they cause damage to private property.”
He added that City Parks appeals to residents to refrain from removing trees illegally.
Details: City Parks and Zoo 011 712 6600.
Related articles:
Team Monash saves the environment one tree at a time
Roodepoort Northsider:
For free breaking and community news, visit Johannesburg North West’s websites:
Keep updated on breaking news in your area. Like Roodepoort Northsider’s page on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
