Another rotten tree falls

A huge old tree on the corner of Glenwood’s Deodar and ZK Matthews (Nicolson) Roads has fallen miraculously on the road and not any pedestrians or motorists driving through the busy road, once again begging the question of what council is going to do about the many rotting trees in the area befor a devastating accident occurs.

The fallen tree was not a surprise for angry residents who have been complaining about the rotting trees for years. Graham Robjant, a Glenwood resident who lives on Nicolson Road told the Berea Mail he heard a “crackling and splintering of wood” before the large crash as the tree fell on the road. “A youngster had been killed a few years ago when one of these old trees fell on his vehicle crushing him in his car while driving along the road. We really don’t want another incident and wonder when something will be done to check and remove these rotting trees,” he said.

Another resident who wished to remain anonymous said everybody knew the trees had been rotting for years. “I have watched this tree for years and even gave it a push a few times just wondering how bad the rot was. I’m just glad nobody was injured. It was so bad it split in half! These trees are dangerous and there is no warning, all you hear is the tearing sound before they fall.

Last week local ward councillor Nicole Graham was prompted to take action after a tree fell last month. Graham contacted the Head of the eThekwini Parks and Recreation Unit to call for an urgent meeting to discuss the trees in the area. She said she had been inundated with calls from residents for tree cutting and who complained of the number of trees and branches that regularly fell onto cars, roofs and fences in the Glenwood and Umbilo areas.