Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ) condemned the deliberate damage to street trees after conducting a site visit in Dunkeld on February 19.

JCPZ’s visit comes after the publication asked whether the entity was aware of the trees that were allegedly poisoned on Eastwood Road.

A local arborist, Julian Ortlepp, sounded the alarm about the London plane trees on February 17.

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“It is impossible that these trees were damaged by the polyphagous shot-hole borer beetle, which seems to have drastically reduced in Johannesburg, as the entire pavement [of trees] is dead. After all the rains, this is very unusual.”

JPCZ regional manager, Dr Joseph Ndou, said that the entity’s assessment confirmed that several healthy street trees have drill holes in their trunks.

‘The nature and placement of these holes strongly suggest intentional damage aimed at killing the trees. This is the second verified incident of tree tampering recorded in regions B and E.”

Ndou added that there was growing concern that certain individuals may be attempting to pressure JCPZ to remove healthy trees by falsely claiming that they pose safety risks.

Managing director of JCPZ, Thanduxolo Mendrew, added that the entity adhered strictly to recognised professional arboricultural standards.

“Trees are only removed following a formal assessment confirming that they are structurally unstable, severely diseased, or dead and demonstrably hazardous. Decisions are evidence-based and undertaken by qualified professionals.”

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Mendrew noted that it was important to emphasise that even dead trees played a vital ecological role, providing habitat and nesting sites for birdlife and contributing to the overall resilience of Johannesburg’s urban ecosystem.

“The deliberate poisoning of trees not only undermines the city’s environmental mandate, but also creates significant public safety risks.”

Poisoned trees deteriorate unpredictably and may collapse without warning, particularly during storms or high winds. This exposes residents, pedestrians and motorists to serious injury or loss of life, and may result in substantial damage to vehicles, homes, boundary walls, powerlines and other critical infrastructure.

Mendrew warned, “Where individuals are found responsible for tree poisoning or illegal pruning and felling of street trees, the city pursues a civil claim against the perpetrators as JCPZ has adopted a zero-tolerance stance on the unlawful damage or destruction of public trees.”

Offenders can face fines of up to R340 000 per tree, civil recovery of costs, and potential criminal charges. The city will not hesitate to take decisive legal action to protect Johannesburg’s urban forest.

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