The DA’s councillor for ward 97, Veronica Dyson, said she has noticed a trend in which residents and businesses are pruning trees themselves and, in some cases, cutting them down completely, because the trees are “blocking the sun” or obstructing their views.
Dyson said the metro’s parks department prunes trees according to an annual programme, which can be made available on request.
However, if residents want trees pruned outside of this schedule, the department will send a qualified horticulturist to evaluate the situation and make recommendations on a case by case basis.
She said the metro uses a specific formula to calculate the value of every individual tree and residents who prune or remove trees could be held responsible for the environmental damage that is done.
To request tree pruning in your area, contact the parks department on 011 999 6881. This number can also be used, in cases where residents have complaints or comments, to contact supervisors of the pruning teams.
Dyson said that, if residents have any difficulty, she can be contacted on 082 854 0072 or emailed at veronica.dyson@ekurhuleni.gov.za
