City Park’s response to tree cutting in Byvanger Street, Meredale

MEREDALE – We needed to investigate and identified that Johannesburg City Parks removed the branches based on a request from Clr Stewart. Generally the stump is not removed unless it is interfering with underground infrastructure.

The branches are then removed within 14 days. In some instances residents then utilise the branches for firewood. This is not ideal as the carbon and pollutants absorbed by the tree over the years are released when set alight – which in effect defeats the primary purpose of planting trees.

Members of the community, in this instance, evidently saw this as an opportunity to collect firewood instead of the trees being recycled for compost.

Johannesburg City Park and Zoo (JCPZ) mandate is to preserve and care for roadside trees and trees in open spaces. We appeal to members of the community to become custodians of their environment. Trees are an integral part of our environment and serve many purposes, including beautifying the community; offsetting carbon dioxide by releasing oxygen into the environment; moderating the climate by regulating the effects of the sun, wind and rain as well as absorbing runoff water and preventing erosion and flooding.

City Parks would like to advise communities that trees will only be removed if they are dead, diseased or decayed. Root systems that interfere with underground infrastructure are treated and the growth stunted to combat further damage to stormwater systems, etc.

JCPZ is also appealing to developers and landscaping architects to include existing trees when renovating homes. A tree can add immense value to properties and goes a long way in building neighbourhood pride.

Bulumko Nelana

The MD of Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo