Invasive plants raise concerns
“We want to get to the root of the problem and try and resolve it.”
As invasive plants continue to thrive in Edenvale, Ward 18 Alderman Heather Hart called on the community to rally by curbing its rise.
The call to unite comes almost two years after ailanthus altissima, commonly known as the Tree of Heaven, was first noticed taking root in and around Horwoods Farm.
At the time Eastleigh resident Carol Bailie informed Bedfordview and Edenvale News as well as Hart of the invader species after identifying it at the park.
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Native to China and Taiwan, ailanthus altissima has been introduced in almost every continent.
Besides having a reputation for growing almost anywhere in any soil condition, the plant is known for being allelopathic and preventing other plants from growing nearby.
Bailie, a gardening enthusiast, first discovered the plant in Bedfordview while assisting with gardening work at her church and 1st Bedfordview Scouts grounds.
She said some of the largest growths at the time were located at Gillooly’s Farm and along the N3, just South of Linksfield Road.
However, since then the plants’ footprint has grown.
Bailie said she has identified the tree on all the main arterial roads in and around Johannesburg, as well as in Kensington, Bedfordview and Edenvale’s Avenues.
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She said most of the saplings and mature plants are on municipal property or open land with less being on privately owned property.
Hart confirmed the plants have spread in Edenvale and said trees were identified on Andries Pretorius and Terrace roads.
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.
When mature they can reach heights between 20 and 30m.
Hart said that to fight the fast-growing invader the community needs to work together.
“If tree fellers or gardening services were to donate a day of their week or volunteer once a month to help control the growth of this plant we could have it under control soon,” said Hart.
Bailie said if community members are willing to assist, she is willing to provide knowledge about the tree and training about how to remove it.
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Hart said that besides the community’s assistance, donations of Glyphosate will also be needed. The broad-spectrum herbicide will be used to prevent regrowth of the plant.
Although Hart said herbicide is a last resort, she highlighted that the ailanthus altissima growth has exploded in Edenvale and requires urgent attention
“We want to get to the root of the problem and try and resolve it,” said Bailie.
Hart said a training session will be planned for February or March.
She invited tree fellers, local schools, businesses, local scout groups and gardening businesses to lend a hand and improve Edenvale.
Email info@essentiallyedenvale.co.za for more information.
