The Morninghill Koppie received some much-needed attention last week when a clean-up team from Johannesburg City Parks (JCP) arrived to remove invasive trees and plants.
JCP team leader Dumisani Dlamini told the NEWS his team had worked on the koppie for around two weeks.
“We spent time cutting down invasive trees, including black wattle and black wood trees. After cutting, we poisoned the stumps to prevent further growth.”
He added that the koppie was a natural treasure and it was important to remove invasive trees.
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“Alien trees are a threat to the natural growth of indigenous plants such as the Proteas, which can readily be found on the koppie,” Dlamini said.
He said that the clean-up initiative and the removal of invasive plants need to happen more regularly.
Morninghill resident Steve Wilder said around 15 years ago he noticed several invasive plants on the koppie.
At the time a national initiative called Working for Water became involved and would clear the koppie of invasive plants regularly.
“The teams behind this clean-up from both City of Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni need strong recognition for this mammoth task.
“The two metros have worked together in the area since lockdown was lifted last year. It’s been a matter of finding the best time to clean the invasive trees and now that it’s no longer raining, it’s the best time to do the clean-up.”
Wilder pointed out that there were two particularly badly affected areas on the koppie with what he referred to as plantations of black wood and black wattle trees.
“In one instance in the past, the invasive trees surrounded the sugarbush protea. In the long-run, the black wattle and black wood trees will harm the growth of indigenous plants on the hill.
“There are many naturally growing types of grasses and plants on the south-facing hill.
“Morninghill Koppie is home to a variety of indigenous grasses and flowers including orchids.
“The area is fantastic and easily accessible to the community,” said Wilder.
Tumi Shoba, a nature conservationist at Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo, told the NEWS alien plants control was one of the major projects for the Conservation Management Department.
“Linksfield Ridge Nature Reserve is also one of the major facilities within our portfolio. It is a great pleasure and honour to have residents such as Steve who are actively involved in helping us,” she said.
Shoba added that over the last few years, the department had placed focus on cutting and controlling the growth of invasive plants.
“Now, we will focus on follow-up and monitoring operations as one of our priority tasks.”
She said for the department, it’s a constant battle.
“It’s a win-lose game. Some trees are completely dead while others are sprouting back.”
Shoba stressed the importance of removing invasive plants.
“Aside from being unsightly, removing non-native plants improves water quality in the area, minimises fire hazards and prevents the loss of our native vegetation.
“These alien plants are a major threat and if we fold our arms and ignore the problem we risk losing our indigenous vegetation.”
Shoba added that the biggest problem in the area has been black wattle trees.
“We are using a chemical method to control the spread of the invasive trees.”
Through this method, full-grown plants are cut down and a specialised herbicide (mixed with colourful dye for follow up purposes) is applied on the stump.
“When treating the regrowth or juveniles, we use foliar spraying.
“Our teams will continue to visit the area until our goal is achieved. It’s not an easy job but if we work together we will win the battle,” she said.
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