Thereafter, and throughout the summer, it remains a pleasure to experience this beautiful street. For residents, the temporary inconvenience of leaves shed in preparation for winter are but small price to pay for the different colour display which also adds to the pleasure of turning into this street.
Until now. The owner of a newly opened bed and breakfast has taken it onto herself to remove two of these old trees from in front of her premises because (apparently) the leaves being shed are proving to be a problem.
One’s suspicions are aroused when one realises that these trees were removed during Easter Weekend when there is no one in authority around to stop the perpetrators of the atrocity.
One’s suspicions are further reinforced when it is observed that all traces of the trees have been removed. The stumps have been cut off below ground level and the incriminating holes covered over. By Tuesday morning one could believe there had never been trees in that area. The evidence suggests that this was a deviously planned, sinister and illegal operation, conceived by self centred and uncaring member of the community.
Our family moved into Christiaan de Wet Street in 1980 and at that time these trees were already full grown. This means that they must be between 40 and 50 years old. My question is, “How can anyone be allowed to remove such a beautiful asset to our town without qualm or conscience or permission?”
I have it on good authority that permission to remove any tree will not be given unless the tree or trees are interfering with services to the community. One assumes that even our municipality would not give such permission.
I am sincerely hoping that the municipality will immediately investigate this matter and take serious and appropriate action. Because of the age of these trees and the time required to replace them is significant I would expect a substantial fine and insistence that the trees are immediately replaced. Even better, the B&B licence should be revoked as an example of what can happen if owners knowingly break the law.
In addition, the area demarcated across the pavement by the owner of the B&B should be scrapped. This is, after all, a pavement and citizens of the town should not be expected to step into the street and heavy traffic in order to negotiate a travelling way past the B&B. This area of pavement does not belong to the owner and they have no right to alter it to their liking.
