Local arborist suspects the London plane trees in Dunkeld were intentionally poisoned
There was a 140-bed Dunkeld private hospital application which was published in 2022
Local arborist Julian Ortlepp is sounding the alarm for the London plane trees, located on Jan Smuts Drive at the corner of Eastwood Road in Dunkeld, which he suspects are victims of intentional poisoning.
He explained that he noticed something was wrong with the trees a few weeks ago. “It is impossible that these trees were killed by the Polyphagous Shot-Hole Borer beetle, which seems to have drastically reduced in Johannesburg, as the entire pavement is dead. After all the rains, this is very unusual.”
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The arborist added that he was told that there was a proposed development, set to happen on the same land as the trees. “Has someone involved in this development done this to get rid of the trees, to assist with their planning of the entrance to this property?”
@caxtonjoburgnorth WATCH: Local arborist Julian Ortlepp indicates where he thinks the tree was poisoned. Video: Asanda Matlhare #Fourways #Rosebank ♬ original sound – Caxton Joburg North
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The publication has seen an application on Facebook, published in 2022. The post details that an application has been received to allow for the development of a six-storey, 140-bed private hospital on approximately 7 752m2 at the corner of Eastwood Road and Jan Smuts Avenue.
The publication reached out to the Ward 90 councillor, City Parks, and the Johannesburg Property Company for comment and will update the article with their responses.
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