Controversy over tree felling in Tyrwhitt Avenue
ROSEBANK – Jufa cofounder Markus Scheuermaier said that the alliance received no notification from JCPZ concerning the felling.
Johannesburg Urban Forest Alliance (Jufa) and some local residents were up in arms when they saw two jacaranda trees being cut down in Tyrwhitt Avenue, Rosebank, on 13 February.
However, according to Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ) spokesperson Jenny Moodley, this was part of a scheduled felling, apparently following much consultation with key groups in the region.
Moodley said, “JCPZ has been lobbied by residents to remove dead trees across the region. A number of trees are dead, mostly due to the impact of PSHB [Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer] or due to reaching their full life expectancy. City Parks has a backlog in this regard and is striving to address this pressing concern as these trees have the potential to collapse and cause damage, especially to pedestrians and passing motorists.”
Moodley said the utility appreciated the active citizenry displayed by residents who called them on 13 February concerning the felling. Moodley added that these citizens’ passion and concern were needed in an age where so many people were illegally felling healthy trees.
Rosebank Management District (RMD) issued a letter on 15 February stating that three trees along Tyrwhitt Avenue were scheduled for removal and 55 others required pruning.
Precinct manager Lerato Khiba said the precinct was undergoing a staged process alongside JCPZ to ensure trees were healthy and their growth was monitored and managed effectively.
“This process includes the removal of dead and damaged trees and the pruning therein to mitigate the risk of broken limbs and falling branches, and to ensure the structural integrity of trees in the area,” added Khiba.
She said JCPZ managed to remove two of the three trees, however, their work was halted by disgruntled residents.
Khiba said RMD had identified safety concerns regarding the dead trees and referred this to JCPZ to investigate and address.
“They confirmed that the dead trees needed to be removed and that the others required pruning to avoid safety risks and branches falling,” said Khiba.
She invited stakeholders who disagreed with this decision to engage further with all parties on the issue.
However, Jufa cofounder Markus Scheuermaier said the alliance received no notification from JCPZ concerning the felling.
“These decisions cannot be taken unilaterally. JCPZ and City Parks need to consult through the channels of communication that have been created,” said Scheuermaier.
“We demand more answers. If any tree is felled, particularly older ones, there should be plans to install new trees. Branches and leaves always fall, but that is not a reason to fell a tree. Only if they are dead should they be felled. Two weeks ago, I drove up Tyrwhitt Avenue and none of the trees looked bad to me,” added Scheuermaier saying that he has not yet seen any jacaranda trees infested with PSHB.
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