Fines will be issued for destroying municipal flora

RESIDENTS are warned they will be fined if they cut down trees on municipal land.

This comes after a leopard tree on the verge in Chancellor Avenue was cut back on Monday, causing an uproar among neighbours.

Concerned resident, Heather Kohler, said on Monday morning, 14 September, she noticed workers arriving on site, and for more than two hours, she had to watch as the tree was pruned down way beyond what she felt was necessary.

“It was very distressing for me. Much effort has been put into the Urban Improvement project in our area by a few of the residents, while others have assisted by funding it. Every attempt has been made to enhance and beautify our environment,” she said.

Kohler succeeded in contacting the ward councillor, Charmaine Clayton, who contacted the municipality to have this job halted.

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Kohler said: “The original intention was to cut down the tree entirely but, hopefully, with the intervention of Metro Law Enforcement this has been circumvented,” she said, adding that it was very discouraging to experience such a helpless sense of swimming against the stream when a 100 year old tree could be ravaged in this manner.

Kohler questioned what motivates anyone to remove features of the environment that soften the harshness of concrete surroundings.

“I concede that security jeopardised by low hanging branches is an issue, but to find a reason to continue to brutally hack down the tall reaches of the tree is beyond me. I am left with a feeling of despair that this can happen. All I can say is that I sincerely hope that a significant number in our community share my sentiment that trees and gifts bestowed upon us by nature matter and are worth protecting,” she said.

She thanked Councillor Clayton and Sarisha Naidoo from Parks for sending out the authorities.

Commenting on the issue, Clayton said she had been told by the Parks Department that anyone chopping down municipal trees would be issued a fine.

“I ask everyone in our ward to try and preserve all trees,” she said.

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