Be warned about cutting down your pavement tree
Trees on public land, like pavements, belong to the city and if tampered with or felled can result in fines costing hundreds of thousands of rands depending on the value attached to the tree.

With summer upon us, it might be tempting to want to cut down a tree on your pavement that for one reason or another you do not like.
But be warned – those trees belong to the city, not you as the property owner.
Read more: Residents guide to reporting fallen trees
The city is home to 10 million trees with an estimated value of at least R13b.
Noeleen Mattera, media relations officer for Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo said, “Many trees date back to the 1900s. A mature leafy tree produces as much oxygen in a season as 10 people inhale in a year. They also reduce temperatures and noise levels.”
With many trees being decades old, it is expected that some will be dying of ‘old age’ while others are perishing from disease or illegal cutting for firewood, known as tree poaching. The ability of the city to keep up with replenishing dead or diseased trees is critical.
Also read: City Parks enforces strict bylaws against illegal tree removal
Trees are valued on their replacement cost, which can be hundreds of thousands of rands for old, established ones. Based on current estimates, fines could cost a few thousand rands or as much as R327 000.
A tree that was cut down in Lonehill last year resulted in a fine valued at R92 160 and several people were arrested by JMPD for the offence.
City by-laws prohibit the removal, setting alight, or pruning of street trees and fallen leaves.
As a deterrent, City Parks has increased penalties and fines and will be working closely with enforcement agencies such as JMPD to ensure non-complying residents and businesses are held accountable for the illegal cutting down of trees.
Mattera said, “We grow trees to replace old, dead or diseased ones and supply surplus stock to communities for greening projects and planting in their gardens. The nursery produces up to 100 000 tree seedlings a year, which, after five years, will be large enough to plant on pavements and in parks.
“We urge residents and communities to refrain from illegally removing and felling trees. Failing to comply will result in legal action and hefty fines being imposed.”
Illegal tree removal tip-offs and requests to prune or fell trees, should be reported to by contacting City Parks 011 712 6600 or Joburg Connect on 011 375 5555. The same number can be used to report fallen or dead trees.
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Related article: 312 trees to be cut down in Parkhurst