Councillor to investigate ‘dangerous’ tree
A resident is concerned that a tree in Princess Alice Avenue is going to fall onto a passing vehicle.
A large jacaranda tree on Princess Alice Avenue is in danger of falling over, causing residents to appeal to ward 33 councillor Mmabatho Tembe, to get the city to take action before the tree crashes down.
Resident, Eileen Bestel said she was worried the tree will fall into the busy road, as it is leaning at a precarious angle and is full of white ants.
“I have been told these trees have a life span and the trees in the road have been here since I moved into my home 42 years ago. I am concerned that it is leaning over and the roots are pulling up the tar at the base. Vehicles have hit the overhanging branches over the years and you can see the branches are dead,” she said.
She said the tree appeared to be leaning over more and more and was concerned that it would fall on top of a passing car. “This used to be a quiet road, but it is extremely busy now, it’s dangerous,” she said.
Bestel said she had phoned the municipality numerous times, but had received no response.
Bestel’s tenant, Melody Tempest, said she felt the tree was minutes from falling.
“It’s frightening! It’s a busy road and if it falls, it’s going to kill someone. I am worried about Eileen, as she is in and out of the property all the time. The municipality told me they would see to it urgently but nothing has happened. We have lost eight trees in Bulwer Park and you take your life in your hands driving in Lena Ahrens Road. The municipality must do something about these trees,” she said.
According to Crispin Hemson of WESSA, the estimated lifespan of a jacaranda tree is around 30 to 40 years. Hemson said it was important that the trees be checked for decay and suggested the municipality identify what areas were most likely to be affected based on past occurances of collapsing trees and experiment with various methods of detecting decay.
Councillor Tembe said she would be in touch with the resident, and would investigate what could be done about the tree.
The eThekwini Municipality had not responded to Berea Mail’s query at time of going to print.
