Concerns raised over invasive plant

“Unless we fight it together, the plant is going to take over,” said Bailie.

January 31, 2022

Stephan Lehman 2 minutes read

Ward 18 Clr Heather Hart with Eastleigh resident Carol Bailie, who recently informed the NEWS and Hart of the plant in and around the park. Behind the fence in the background a growth of ailanthus altissima can be seen.

Community members have been urged to keep a watchful eye out for an invasive plant taking root in and around Horwood’s Farm.

ALSO READ: Covid-19 a threat to identifying malaria cases

Eastleigh resident Carol Bailie informed the NEWS and Ward 18 Clr Heather Hart of ailanthus altissima growing in the area after she noticed and identified the plant, commonly known as the tree of heaven.

Native to China, ailanthus altissima has been introduced in almost every continent.

GA Walker, M Gaertner, MP Robertson and DM Richardson state in their study, The prognosis for Ailanthus altissima (Simaroubaceae; tree of heaven) as an invasive species in South Africa; insights from its performance elsewhere in the world, in the 2017 South African Journal of Botany, that the species has been introduced to 51 countries. As an invasive species, ailanthus altissima is most widespread in Europe followed by Asia.

The writers state the species is listed as an introduced species in six African countries, including SA, Lesotho, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco and Libya. In SA, the plant can most commonly be found in Gauteng and the southwestern part of the Western Cape.

The growth of ailanthus altissima that grows around the homestead at Horwood’s Farm.

Bailie, who described herself as a gardening enthusiast, first came across the plant in Bedfordview while doing gardening work at her church and 1st Bedfordview Scouts grounds.

“The largest stands I have seen in the area are located at Gillooly’s Farm and along the N3 just South of Linksfield Road,” said Bailie.

At Horwood’s Farm, ailanthus altissima, in various stages of growth, could be seen in the park’s flower beds and around the homestead. From Bailie’s dealings with the plant, she said young plants can be identified by their red leaves and the unpleasant odour the plant exudes. Bailie said juvenile plants need to be pulled out as soon as possible.

She explained once the plant becomes established, it can propagate by seeds and with the use of suckers. Once sprouted, it can take the plant two years to produce seeds. A single female ailanthus altissima can produce up to 300 000 seeds per year.

“Unless we fight it together, the plant is going to take over,” said Bailie.

Ward 18 Clr Heather Hart with Eastleigh resident and gardening enthusiast Carol Bailie, who is holding an ailanthus altissima she had pulled out at the park. Between them is a more mature plant.

Hart said to discover the full extent of the plant’s reach at Horwood’s Farm and its surrounds, a horticulturist needs to assist. She appealed to horticulturalists and botanists in the community to contact her at Heather.Hart@ekurhuleni.gov.za

Following the NEWS’ meeting with Bailie and Hart, Bailie informed the publication she was contacted by the City of Ekurhuleni’s parks department for assistance on how to remove the trees.

A request for comment was sent to the CoE on January 27, requesting comment by January 28 at 15:30.

At the time of going to print, no comment had been received.