Trees where owls once sat cut and left on the ground
HERAUT received complaints from residents in Arnoldi Street, Rensburg, about the natural habitat of wild bird species that were completely destroyed.
Letitia Greyling
letitiag@caxton.co.za
Two of the eucalyptus trees at the back of the heritage museum were cut off on November 5. These trees formed part of the natural habitat of owls, eagles, falcons and other animal species.
One of the residents confronted the workers on the day to enquire why they were cutting down the trees and was told they receive instruction from Lesedi Local Municipality (LLM) to do so. Another resident advised he sits on his patio with family in the evenings from where they have a good view of the trees and often watched the owls sitting in the high branches of the trees that were cut.
On November 5, as one of the residents stood on the corner of his yard and watched as the branches were cut, he was approached by one of the workers who advised the reason they are cutting the trees is due to another resident in Arnoldi Street who complained to LLM about the poor Wi-Fi reception due to the high trees.
Shortly afterwards, the tree-cutters left, leaving the branches where owls once sat in lying on the ground.
HERAUT referred the matter to LLM and was informed by Katleho Seaga, the spokesperson, the instruction was issued by LLM to prune the tree branches after a complaint was received based on “Wi-Fi reception issues” caused by the height of the trees.
He also advised that it is unfortunate that the trees in reference were cut as it was only meant to be pruned on the day. According to LLM, it was reported to management that the workers were allegedly intimidated by residents nearby and they had to leave the area.
The two trees in question were part of at least eight trees in the area; however, 90 per cent of the two trees were completely removed.
Tree management is part of maintenance in terms of pruning and blanking. These activities are carried out by the municipality’s environmental unit known as Parks and Cemeteries.
The chopping down of trees in the area is highly discouraged due to the following benefits:
• It reduces the Urban Heat Island Effect by absorbing radiation which would otherwise be stored and emitted by buildings and highways, increasing local temperatures.
• It sequesters carbon, aiding climate adaptation.
• It captures and absorbs particulate and noise pollution adjacent to busy roads.
• It provides shade and creates cooler places for people to enjoy during periods of high temperature.
• Ii intercepts rainwater, helping to prevent localised flooding.
Residents were informed of the response from LLM and advised they were purely raising concerns and denied the allegations of intimidation.
Furthermore, the fact that the workers left the premises without removing the branches or clean the area indicated that something is not right.
Their inquiry was made in support of environmental conservation and following the fact that trees in the middle of an open ground far from electrical wires or similar was cut down. Although residents understand that the tree cutters were only performing an instruction, they are concerned about who gave the order, on what basis and at what expense to the environment and especially the owls and eagles once spotted on branches, now destroyed and cut to the ground.
