MONDAY was a sad day for the Parks Department as Pine trees in Berea Park, which died as a result of the removal of their bark, were cut down.
It is believed the bark from the three trees in the park, as well as other Norfolk Pine trees in Berea and Umbilo, was removed for medicinal purposes.
Umbilo resident, Carol Mast-Ingle, brought this practice to the attention of Berea Mail in September, when she reported a Norfolk Pine tree had been hacked at and its bark removed in Umbilo Road. Thereafter, reports came from others, stating trees in Berea Park, near Dunkirk Park in Umbilo, as well as Currie Road, had also been damaged by people removing bark.
In December, Sarisha Premnarayan, area horticulturist from the Parks Department, said the department was first notified about a tree ripped of its bark in Berea Park in November last year.
Since then, all three trees in the park, two Norfolk Pines and one Norwegian Pine, were killed as a result of this practice.
She said the trees in Berea Park as well as another reported in Currie Road, would be cut down.
On Monday, Swift Tree Felling got to work to remove the three trees which had been ring barked in Berea Park.
ALSO READ: Dead Pine trees in Berea to be removed
Phil Hamilton Swift Tree Felling said: “The wood from these trees will be repurposed. The wood will be planked and reused.” He said the company welcomed the opportunity to give the trees a second chance of sorts, by the wood being used for another purpose. “Otherwise it would go to the refuse dump, which would be a waste,” he said.
The company worked hard to pull down the trees and cut up the wood before clearing the area.
If anyone witnesses the destruction of local trees, they are urged to contact the city’s head office on 031 322 4000 and to speak to the district horticulturist.
Anyone interested in joining a group for those interested in all things trees – whether they are damaged, mutilated or cut down, they are encouraged to contact Carol Mast-Ingle on 072 012 7144.
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