Massive tree in Virginia Reserve poisoned
A resident says he is saddened by the poisoning of one of the biggest and oldest trees in the Virginia Bush Nature Reserve.
A FAMED Natal fig tree, believed to be oldest in the Virginia Bush Nature Reserve, has been poisoned. It is believed the tree, which is more than a 100 years old and about 20 metres high, was poisoned in order to secure a ‘sea view’.
A Middlebrook Avenue resident and nature lover, who did not want to be named, contacted the Northglen News saying he was saddened by the sabotage, which may have been going on for months.
“This was the most awesome tree ever. It was beautiful when it was in bloom,” he explained. “We began to notice the tree deteriorate in December and I thought perhaps it was because of the drought we were experiencing. Then it started to get worse and I had to call in the municipality. One of the massive branches also fell off, damaging the fencing of the reserve.”
The resident added the tree was used by a number of animals and birds in the area. On Monday this week, members from the eThekwini Parks, Leisure and Recreation Department had to cut down several branches of the tree which were on the verge of falling and causing even more damage.
“This tree was here before even my grandparents, and I’m deeply saddened by what’s happened here. There are very few big indigenous trees left around KZN, and this was one of them. Respecting and caring for our environment today means we and our children will have a better quality of life tomorrow,” he concluded.
This follows another incident at a retirement village in uMhlanga where several mahogany trees were poisoned allegedly to secure a ‘sea view’.
