ENVIRONMENTAL organisations in Hillcrest have mixed emotions about the Hillcrest Corner’s decision to prune the Stinkwood trees outside the centre. Elizabeth Roux of the Hillcrest Corner said this decision was due to the trees obstructing light and visibility for their CCTV surveillance and some of the centre’s signage.
“Unfortunately, we never intended to remove or trim these trees to the extent they have now been cut, but the landscapers were over-enthusiastic in cutting them back. However, Stinkwood trees, under the right conditions, are known to be relatively fast-growing, and their current state is in no way permanent,” said Roux.
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George Victor of the Hillcrest Conservancy said they did inspect the trees after they were cut and support the efforts of the centre to maintain the verge area there.
“We have, for many years, pushed for a permit system to be instituted in Durban where all tree felling/pruning needs to be authorised as in many large cities in the world. We will convey this message to the now-grown-up residents who planted them years ago,” he said.
Marge Mitchell of the Keep Hillcrest Beautiful Association responded in sadness and dismay, saying the apparent indiscriminate and ugly hacking of these beautiful Stinkwood trees has made them totally disfigured.
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“The damage caused by over-pruned trees is extensive, and if none of the foliage remains, then the tree sprouts excessively in response to so much canopy loss. These sprouts – which break off easily – mean the trees are unlikely to recover.
“Over-pruning also reduces the foliage available for making food for the rest of the tree and can allow pests and diseases access if the cuts are made incorrectly,” she said.
Roux emphasised that the Hillcrest Corner has always been committed to both operating sustainably and supporting community organisations, like the Keep Hillcrest Beautiful Association, and they will continue to do so.
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