3 000 trees later, Fourways checks in on its growing green legacy
With Arbor Month in full swing, Ward 94 councillor David Foley says planting trees is about more than greening the area; it is about creating life and much-needed shade for pedestrians.
Remember when City Parks, together with the community, managed to plant more than 3 000 trees in just an hour during last year’s tree-planting initiative?
Well, on August 18, Ward 94 councillor David Foley and City Parks official Mmankwe Sebatjane were back on site to see how those young trees were doing.
Read more: Ward 94 is set to bloom with 700 trees
The trees, planted with the help of residents during the community initiative last November, have since had plenty of attention from City Parks, with regular watering, grass cutting, and maintenance, and, according to Foley, the effort is starting to pay off.
During the site visit, Foley pointed out the neat basins created around the trees to help retain water. “Within the next week or two, you’re probably going to see the leaves of these trees just pop out, and it’s going to be fantastic.”
The tree-planting drive was part of a bigger vision to increase the area’s tree canopy and create a greener environment for residents.
Foley said the project would help transform the stretch from Wikoppen Bridge along Winnie Mandela Drive towards Diepsloot, while creating much-needed shade for pedestrians.
Also read: Ward 94 clears the way for 3 000 new trees
Sebatjane said City Parks was also looking at planting more trees as the programme grows, but stressed that planting is only one part of the job. The young trees also need to be maintained and cared for if they are to become part of the area’s long-term landscape.
For Foley, that means getting residents involved whenever opportunities arise.
“If you see there’s an Arbor Day or community initiative to plant trees, it’s probably one of the best feelings you’re going to have. Planting trees, creating life, creating shade for the pedestrians to walk up and down.”
With warmer months ahead, Foley said the growing trees would eventually provide pedestrians with more shade while contributing to a greener and cleaner Johannesburg, and if the plans go ahead, the 3 000-plus trees planted last year may only be the beginning.
“We have had 99% of the trees surviving. This is a good sign and shows that the trees are well taken care of,” said Sebatjane.
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