With deep roots tied to the history of Edenvale, a mighty oak tree which once stood tall and proud now stands barren as its limbs slowly crumble to the ground.
The oak, situated a stone’s throw from Frank Maret Park, next to the Edenhaven Retirement Village, was planted in 1900 by Tobias Mynhardt, one of Edenvale’s historical figures.
Mynhardt was the former owner of Rietfontein Number Nine Farm, the land present-day Edenvale is located on.
Mynhardt’s significance to the town’s history stemmed from him subdividing the land, selling portions to Father De Lacey, a leading Johannesburg grocer known only as Mr Amm and the Rietfontein Gold Mining Company.
The remaining land was kept by Mynhardt; it is believed he lived near the area where the tree was planted.
“It’s sad to see a part of Edenvale’s history look like this,” said Ward 19 Clr Bill Rundle.
A plaque to commemorate the tree’s connection to the town’s history was placed at the tree’s trunk by the Edenvale Museum and Cultural Society in 1983.
Rundle said over the years he watched the tree deteriorate unabated.
Although Rundle is uncertain what the cause of the tree’s demise is, he showed the NEWS several branches where it appeared an insect had bored holes into the tree.
Branches on the ground and those still connected to the tree had the tell-tale holes.
Rundle said when he first noticed the tree’s deterioration several years ago, he informed the City of Ekurhuleni (CoE), but claimed nothing was done.
“Because the tree is on municipal property, it is the responsibility of the municipality,” highlighted Rundle.
Rundle believes that before the tree is treated in any way, an arboriculturist or arborist needs to determine what is causing the tree to die and what would be the best treatment.
“In my opinion, all the affected branches need to be removed. Once this is done, perhaps the tree can be saved.”
Rundle said he was approached by a community member who wanted to raise funds to have the tree treated with a spray which would possibly kill any borer insects.
The estimated cost to have this done was R2 000.
Rundle urged community members to be patient and wait until it is known what it is exactly that is affecting the tree.
He appealed to any arboriculturists or arborists to assist in determining what is affecting the tree and what can be done to save it.
Contact Rundle via Bill.Rundle@ekurhuleni.gov.za
A request for comment was sent to the CoE at 11.45am on February 20; the comment was requested by noon on February 21.
At the time of going to print no comment was received.
