New life of trees sprouts in Elma Park
“What is really amazing is that is it is almost as if everything has come full circle with new life entering the community.”
Sixteen trees were planted in the Elma Park Access Control Association road enclosure following the damaging effects the polyphagous shot hole borer (PSHB) beetle had on trees in the suburb.
The initiative, a collaboration between Edenvale Lions and Elma Park, hoped to see some of the trees, which were lost, replaced
The trees were planted on October 21 by volunteers from the community, Edenvale Lions, Essentially Edenvale and a local business.
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Assistance was provided by the City of Ekurhuleni’s Parks Department who dug the holes for the trees and ensured they were in the correct position.
Since Bedfordview and Edenvale News started reporting on the matter, 100 trees died or were infected by the beetle.
The beetles, believed to be of Asian origin, contain the fungal symbiont fusarium euwallaceae.
When the beetles, which are only a few millimetres in size, bore into trees it then infect it.
Once the tree is infected by the fungus it slowly dies, and once the tree dies the beetle migrates to another tree.
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Elma Park resident Alex Dellas, who played a vital role in spreading awareness about the beetle and preventing its spread, said the trees planted were Wild Plums.
She said four of them were donated by the Lions Club while the Elma Park Community raised funds to purchase another 12.
The trees were from Ryans’ Nursery.
Alex said the project was initially prompted by the Lions who approached her several months ago with their idea.
“What is really amazing is that it is almost as if everything has come full circle with new life entering the community,” said Alex.
Edenvale Lions Club member Bianca Levin said the idea for the project was prompted when the club held discussions for its plans for Abor Week.
Knowing what damage the beetles caused in Elma Park, the club started raising funds for the projectBianca said once she made contact with Alex, the project growth was amazing to witness.
Essentially Edenvale’s Lisa Atkins said help was needed from the metro to dig the holes in the correct locations.
“Surveys were conducted for the locations of electrical and water infrastructure. Once the project was on the go, assistance was also provided by Bruce Ryan’s Gardening on the Go.”
Alex said although Elma Park lost many of its trees, she said some of the infected Box Elders are making a comeback.
